Community Spotlight: Efe Fruci and the On Your Block event

Sapperton’s own Efe Fruci loves to dream big. No goal is too small for the entrepreneur, author, coach, and mental health advocate. She’s the founder of Odihi, a Black-led not-for-profit empowering women who are Black, Indigenous, and/or of colour.

So, when the idea of meeting up with neighbours on her previous street popped into her mind about two years ago, she knew she had to get it done.

"I asked my husband Thomas, 'do you think it'd be weird if I ask all our neighbours to bring a chair, bring a table, form a long line on our street, and just have a potluck dinner and get to know each other?' " Fruci tells New West Anchor. “[This was] something I was thinking of because it’s common for me, and my culture, and just people gathering.”

The timing of the idea was both a blessing and a curse. The curse was that it happened as COVID-19 restrictions were kicking in. Fortunately for Fruci, the delay gave her time to begin planning a party of epic proportions.

“I honestly don’t remember how we found this [Neighbourhood Grant], but I had connected with Lisa Kemp [special events coordinator, city of New Westminster] for a Christmas event,” explains Fruci, who happened to casually mention the idea of a block party. Kemp encouraged Fruci to apply for it. With the application for the block party a success, Fruci says she went immediately into planning mode because she couldn’t stand the thought of her neighbours being lonely.

“[It’s] not how the world is designed; that’s truly not how we’re meant to be. People need community regardless of where they’re from, and where their culture is. We need each other to survive,” says Fruci.

Block parties – also known as street parties – hold a rich amount of history. In some cases, they’ve simply been used as a way to get to know the people in your neighbourhood; in others they’ve served as a protest. To paraphrase the New York Times, it’s common for people to live one on top of another, so sometimes festivities just need to spill out onto the streets. This latter idea is the most in line with the On Your Block event.

“It’s why I love On Your Block, because it’s where everybody belongs – that’s it. Anybody and everybody, come on down and show up as yourself. Come and talk to somebody, meet somebody you may not have seen,” explains Fruci.

Another one of the great points about the festival is the rich cultural experiences to come out of it. Whether it’s a rapper from South Africa, a DJ from Nigeria, or an ice cream truck that sources its ingredients from Asia and Latin America, Fruci says there’s much to appreciate.

“This is the opportunity for me as another human being, and as a citizen of the world to showcase their greatness. They can celebrate what they do best, what they are passionate about, and get recognized for it,” says Fruci.

“Anybody that’s meant to be in your life can come from anywhere. You just have to be open-minded, and you have to be willing to start it off with a conversation,” she adds.

When asked what she’s looking forward to the most about the block party, she says it all comes down to one word: joy. “Get back into that child-like curiosity; stop taking life so seriously! You know, before you go into the beer garden, go get your face painted! Look like, if you have children, your son and daughter.” Fruci’s also excited to watch people take part in some of the interactive art pieces – or even just dancing in front of the stage.

“No one is actually alone. If you come hang out [with us], you will find your people.”