A Growing Melting Pot: Diverse Creatives on the Rise

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself deeply moved by the way diverse voices are showing up — and being celebrated — here on Cape Cod and beyond. Representation matters, but even more than that, community matters. And I’m seeing both flourish in ways that remind me exactly why Pop-Up Street exists.

Take Belonging Books and the screening of Big Tree’s documentary on Unerased: Asian Voices of Cape Cod. It shed light on the history and presence of the Asian community here in Massachusetts, a story that has often gone untold. To see that history acknowledged on a wider scale was powerful, and it left me with hope that more stories will continue to surface.

Then, there was Invisible Threads, a stunning portrait series by South African native Julia Cume s and Brazilian native Lipe Borges. Their photographs captured immigrants from across continents who came to the United States for countless reasons — each image layered with strength, vulnerability, and pride. Standing in that room, surrounded by their work, I felt the love and solidarity of a community that sees itself, finally, reflected.

The Brazilian community has been especially vibrant lately — celebrating their independence at Neptune’s Cape Cod, launching a new magazine called Bonavit, and building support systems through a Brazilian Resource Center by Michael Mecenas. What inspires me most is that these efforts aren’t just about serving their own communities (though that’s vital) — they also ripple outward, strengthening the fabric of Cape Cod as a whole.

And then, of course, there’s what we’re building together at Pop-Up Street. With Culture & Co. magazine uplifting more small business owners, and our pop-up model giving space to chefs, artists, and creatives to showcase their gifts, while we do our best to get tourist to come here to see them— we’re threading our piece of the story into this wider movement of representation. Whether it’s brunch at the American Legion or a gallery wall filled with bold new voices, our mission has always been to make room at the table.

Seeing all of this unfold warms my heart. It’s proof that when diverse creatives are seen and supported, the entire community thrives. And it makes me excited for what’s next — for Pop-Up Street, for our partners, and for everyone brave enough to share their story.

Because representation isn’t just about being present. It’s about being celebrated. And right now, I’m grateful to witness that celebration growing stronger every day.

Image: Invisible Threads by Julia Cumes and Lipe Borges at Cape Cod Museum of Art