On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Lakewood Community Advisory Commission held its annual Diversity Potluck Dinner at Cove Community Center. Approximately 50 Lakewoodites, from elders to infants, enjoyed two hours of food, music and community conversation.
The Diversity Potluck invites community members to share a traditional dish from their heritage, and Thursday’s spread included shared dishes representing the Indian, Greek, Polish, Hawaiian and Southern US food traditions. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Brazilian musician, Moises Borges, filled the space with sounds of bossa nova and samba. The dinner also drew the attendance of local Lakewood City Council members Cindy Strebig (Ward 3), Matt Bixenstine (Ward 4) and Angelina Steiner (At-large), all first-time attendees to the event.
With delicious food, soothing music, activities for the young ones, and an inclusive encouragement to “try something new,” organizers felt the potluck was “truly a successful gathering.”
The Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission was established (LCO Chapter 142) in 2005 to serve in an advisory capacity for the purpose of educating, informing and making recommendations to City officials, departments, boards and commissions on matters relating to community relations within the City of Lakewood in an effort to advance: respect for diversity, bonds of mutuality, and equity.
Editor’s note: The author, Dawn Ellis, is a member of the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Committee.
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