Saturday · August 23 · 2026
★ Held during National Black Business Month ★

Golden Hour Unboxed

A celebration of Black entrepreneurship
on the Eastside.

Bellevue Botanical Garden Free · All Ages Golden Hour → Twilight
RSVP Free on Eventbrite → Sponsor This Event
About the Evening

When the sun softens, we show up.

August is National Black Business Month. When the sun begins its descent over the Eastside on August 23, something remarkable happens. The light softens. The air warms. People slow down — and they show up for one another.

Golden Hour Unboxed is a free, cross-cultural evening at Bellevue Botanical Garden where Black entrepreneurs, artists, families, and allies gather under the sunset to mingle, share, and rise together. It's a celebration of the many ways our community contributes to the Eastside — through art, food, storytelling, mentorship, and the everyday brilliance of building something from nothing.

This is more than an event. It's a platform — for emerging Black entrepreneurs to mingle with seasoned professionals. For families to experience cross-cultural exchange in real time. For artists, vendors, and community builders to be seen and supported.

What to Expect

An evening, five movements.

Programming designed for cross-generational connection — performances, ideas, and warmth that move from afternoon light into twilight.

i.

Sunset Sounds

Acoustic music, spoken word, and movement from cross-cultural artists — programmed for the garden's evening rhythm.

ii.

Storytelling

Personal narratives of building, belonging, and rising — voices from across the Eastside.

iii.

Micro Speed Pitching

Emerging entrepreneurs and artists share ideas shaped by their identities. Three minutes. One spotlight.

iv.

Pack-the-Box Drive

A back-to-school giving initiative powered by an upcoming nonprofit partnership. Bring supplies, leave with new friends.

v.

Twilight Social

As the sky turns lavender and gold, we gather for an unhurried social that closes the evening with warmth.

Get Involved

Find your way in.

Whether you're coming for the sunset, the connections, or to share what you've built — there's a path for you.

For Attendees

Black entrepreneurs, allies, families, multicultural neighbors, and anyone who loves a good sunset — this is for you. Bring your people. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful.

  • Free admission · All ages welcome
  • An evening to stand, stroll, and mingle — seating available for accessibility
  • Free on-site parking · Rideshare encouraged
  • Garden-casual dress · Shoes you can move in · Layers for twilight
RSVP on Eventbrite → See the Program
i — Attendees Show up.
Stay awhile.

For Performers

Musicians, dancers, spoken-word artists, and storytellers — we're exploring an acoustic-friendly lineup for the garden setting. Cross-cultural acts rooted in the Eastside especially welcome.

  • Acoustic & lightly-amplified sets preferred
  • Programmed to align with City of Bellevue sound permits
  • Compensation available for booked performers
  • Cross-promotion via ToyBox channels
Submit Your Work → Pitch Your Idea
iii — Performers Three minutes.
One spotlight.

For Vendors & Orgs

Tabling is available with limited seats — your chance to be present where the Eastside is gathering. We prioritize Black-owned businesses, BIPOC-led organizations, and partners aligned with the event's mission.

  • Nonprofits & community orgs: free tabling
  • For-profit businesses: email for details
  • First-come, first-served · Limited seats
  • Setup support and on-site signage included
Claim a Table →
iv — Vendors Build connection
under the sun.

For Press & Media

We welcome media coverage of Golden Hour Unboxed. Press kits include event one-pagers, high-resolution imagery, performer bios, and interview availability with ToyBox leadership.

  • Press release & media list available
  • High-res photography & brand assets
  • Interview availability with organizers
  • On-site media credentials by request
Request Press Kit → Interview Request
v — Press A platform,
not a passive showcase.
Community Initiative

Pack the Box.
Send a kid to school.

Bring back-to-school supplies and pack a box for an Eastside student. It's the easiest, warmest way to participate — bring a notebook or backpack, leave with new friends.

Final supply list announced once our nonprofit partner is confirmed.

Get Notified When Live →
Speakers & Performers

The voices of the evening.

Cross-cultural artists, storytellers, and emerging entrepreneurs taking the stage as the sun softens. Lineup announced soon.

Speaker · TBA
Featured Speaker
Storyteller · Eastside
Performer · TBA
Live Music Act
Cross-cultural · Region
Pitcher · TBA
Micro Speed Pitcher
Emerging Entrepreneur
Could be you. Pitch · Perform · Speak Submit Your Work →

Full lineup announced as confirmations land — performance schedule subject to venue acoustics and City of Bellevue sound permits. Watch @toyboxconsulting.

Featured Vendors

Businesses, makers, community.

The Eastside is gathering — and these are the people you'll meet there. Black-owned businesses, BIPOC-led organizations, and community partners building something real.

Food Partner · Secured
Announcement Coming Soon
Feeding the evening · Eastside
Vendor · TBA
Featured Business
Category · Bellevue
Maker · TBA
Featured Maker
Category · Eastside
Table at the event. Limited · First-come Claim a Table →

Nonprofits table free · For-profit businesses email katoya@toyboxconsulting.net

Endorsements

In good company.

Golden Hour Unboxed is supported by partners across the Eastside who believe in cross-cultural exchange, Black entrepreneurship, and the power of gathering well.

Golden Hour Unboxed is part of the City of Bellevue's Cross-Cultural Center without Walls — programming designed to celebrate the multicultural fabric of the Eastside.
City of Bellevue Cross-Cultural Center without Walls

Endorsed in support of cross-cultural community programming on the Eastside.

NAACP Confirmed endorser · Full statement coming soon
B ellevue CHAMBER

Endorsed in support of Black entrepreneurship and small business on the Eastside.

Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Confirmed endorser · Full statement coming soon
Sponsors & Partners

Thank you to the partners lighting the evening.

Golden Hour Unboxed is brought to life by partners across sectors. Conversations welcome at any level — from presenting partner to in-kind contributor.

Presented by Producing Partner
Programming Partner Cross-Cultural Center without Walls
Additional tiers — Golden Hour Sponsors, Community Supporters, Media Partners — are open and being filled. Conversations welcome at every level.
Why This Event

Bellevue is one of the most diverse cities in Washington — and August is when we lift up Black business.

Intentional spaces for cross-cultural exchange remain limited. Golden Hour Unboxed creates a third space where art, entrepreneurship, and community care meet under the most beautiful light of the day.

We celebrate Black entrepreneurship specifically because of how it elevates the Eastside — and we welcome everyone who values creativity, collaboration, and belonging. Hosting on August 23, during National Black Business Month, anchors the evening in a national moment of recognition. This is not a passive cultural showcase. It's an active exchange.

Attendees leave knowing each other's names, ideas, and how to find each other after the sun sets.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Still curious? Email katoya@toyboxconsulting.net and we'll get back to you.

Golden Hour Unboxed is free to the public per our agreement with Bellevue Botanical Garden. RSVP secures your spot but does not include a charge. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly for refreshments and seating.
Yes — all ages are welcome. Programming is designed for cross-generational engagement, and families are encouraged to attend together.
Golden Hour Unboxed is designed as an unhurried, flowing evening at Bellevue Botanical Garden's education facility — most guests stand, stroll, and mingle their way through the program. Tables are set up for vendors, food, and the Micro Speed Pitching Showcase. Accessibility seating is available throughout the evening for anyone who needs it. If you'd like to request accessibility accommodations in advance, email katoya@toyboxconsulting.net.
Bellevue Botanical Garden offers free on-site parking. We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes early during peak times. Carpooling and rideshare are encouraged to reduce congestion.
Yes. Bellevue Botanical Garden has accessible pathways and seating areas. If you have specific accessibility needs, please reach out to katoya@toyboxconsulting.net in advance and we'll make arrangements to support your visit.
We're opening pitch participation on a rolling basis. Email katoya@toyboxconsulting.net with "Micro Speed Pitching" in the subject line and a brief description of what you'd pitch.
Yes — tabling is available with limited seats. Nonprofits and community organizations can table for free; just RSVP your table at katoya@toyboxconsulting.net. For-profit businesses should email the same address for tabling details. First-come, first-served, with priority for Black-owned businesses and BIPOC-led organizations.
We welcome partnership conversations at any level. Whether you're interested in being a presenting partner, programming sponsor, community supporter, in-kind contributor, or media partner — we'd love to design something together. Reach out to katoya@toyboxconsulting.net for our sponsor & partner outreach kit.
The event is hosted in partnership with Bellevue Botanical Garden, which has covered options. The date is firm: Saturday, August 23, 2026. Weather adjustments to programming (covered staging, etc.) will be communicated via email and social media leading up to the event.
Garden casual — think effortless evening wear. Layers are recommended as the temperature can shift from the warm afternoon into a cooler twilight. Shoes you can stand and stroll in, since most of the evening is spent on your feet. The botanical setting invites a celebratory, culturally expressive aesthetic — wear what makes you feel beautiful and yourself.
August 23 · 2026

See you in the golden light.

RSVP is free. Bring your people. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful. Plan to stay for the twilight social.

RSVP Free on Eventbrite → Become a Sponsor