Aug. 29 Daily Briefing: New Pride director’s vision, food drive’s big goals, students on right foot, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we bring you yet another programming note: We’re attempting to pull off a three-day weekend like many of you, and to do that, we won’t be back in your inbox until Tuesday. When we return, it will be — checks notes — September! That means the return of city meetings, extensive preparation for “the season” for businesses, nonprofits, and others, and much more news than in August. We’re looking forward to it all. But first, we’ll all pause to take a collective breath as we try not to labor too hard on Labor Day.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Workin’ Man Blues” by Merle Haggard

LEADING OFF

20 years of city event expertise shapes new Pride director’s vision for programming

Jasmine Sullivan-Waits is bringing a proven playbook from two decades as the city’s events coordinator to her new role as Palm Springs Pride executive director: make it free, make it inclusive, and find creative funding solutions when budgets get tight.

Driving the news: Sullivan-Waits’s signature approach – ensuring 95% of city events remained free despite budget challenges – will now guide Pride’s future programming as she aims to expand beyond Palm Springs into the East Valley.

• Her track record includes navigating multiple economic downturns while maintaining free community programming through strategic fundraising and partnerships.

Zoom in: Deep relationships with downtown businesses, institutional knowledge of city operations, and a tested model for transforming ticketed events into accessible celebrations will be key assets she takes with her into the new role.

• She previously orchestrated Pride’s 2014 move from a ticketed stadium venue to free downtown programming, watching attendance soar from 12,000 to 200,000.

Bigger picture: Years of securing sponsorships for city events like Breakfast with Santa and expanded July 4 celebrations taught her how to eliminate cost barriers without sacrificing quality.

• “When you’re able to fundraise to cover an event so that all people, all families, can come to the event, that for me is always my goal,” Sullivan-Waits said.

Why it matters: Her experience shepherding Palm Springs through its transformation from seasonal destination to year-round hub provides crucial insight for managing Pride’s explosive growth.

What’s next: Sullivan-Waits, who lives in Cathedral City with her partner, Meghan, and their three children, starts in her new role on Sept. 1. 

Read our complete story here

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BRIEFLY

🍽️ Food drive aims to collect 2,500 pounds for community food bank

Blue Zones Project Palm Springs and The Center’s Community Food Bank will host a Food-A-Thon on Friday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., aiming to collect 2,500 pounds of food to support the 350+ individuals and families who rely on the food bank daily.

• The event honors National Food Bank Day and will be held at The Center’s Community Food Bank at 2901 East Alejo Road in Palm Springs.
  
• Most-needed donations include shelf-stable proteins like peanut butter and beans, dry goods such as pasta and rice, healthy snacks, and pet food.
  
• What they’re saying: “This event is more than a food drive — it’s a call to action,” said Charles Huff, director of food security at The Center’s Community Food Bank.

YOUR WEEKEND

TODAY

• Endeavor with Jase at Demuth Park at 3 p.m.
  
• Game Night at Starbase 505 at 4 p.m. 
  
• Leanna and Miguel at the Hyatt Palm Springs at 6 p.m.
  
• PSHS football at Grand Terrace at 7 p.m.
  
• Steph Clark at the Rock Gallery Comedy Club at 8 p.m. ($18).

SATURDAY

• Indoor Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Pavilion at 8 a.m.
  
• Open Cockpit Saturdays at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 10 a.m. ($24)
  
• Sean Wiggins at Hunters at 5 p.m. ($13)
  
• End of Summer Pool Party at the Palm Springs Swim Center at 6 p.m.
  
• Sci-Fi Summer: Equilibrium at the Camelot Theatre at 6 p.m.  ($14)

SUNDAY

• White-Out Pool Party at Hotel Zoso at 12 p.m. ($23)
  
• Musical Matinees: HAIR! At the Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($14) 
  
• Dee Calmett Gospel Music Concert at the United Methodist Church at 6 p.m.

MONDAY

• Labor Day Poolside DJ Float & Chill at Ace Hotel & Swim Club at 12 p.m. 

AND FINALLY …

When it comes to starting the school year on the right foot, 2,500 Palm Springs Unified School District students will be doing exactly that thanks to a generous shoe donation program that proves sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.

Driving the news: The Foundation for PSUSD raised nearly $40,000 to purchase 2,500 pairs of new Vans “Old Skool” sneakers for socioeconomically disadvantaged students through their “Shoes for Students” program, timing the distribution perfectly for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

• Students and families were invited to a special shoe fitting celebration Thursday at the District Offices, with additional distributions planned for October at individual school sites.

The need: With 97% of PSUSD students classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged and 10-12% experiencing homelessness, proper footwear often becomes a luxury families can’t afford when choosing between dinner and new shoes.

The donors: Community supporters including the city of Palm Springs, Bighorn Golf Club Charities, Greater Palm Springs Realtors, Anderson Children’s Foundation, and several readers of The Post. 

Why it matters: Research shows that ill-fitting or worn-out shoes can negatively impact children’s self-esteem and classroom participation, while new shoes that fit properly can boost confidence and academic engagement — proving that sometimes a strong foundation really does start from the ground up.

Read the full story online