Karibu

Karibu 2026 Update

In 2026, Karibu will take place in a special format as a Cultural Celebration Book, community gathering, and New Hope Award celebration. This one-year shift allows us to honor past participants and preserve their stories. The event will return to its traditional fashion show format in future years.

Join us on November 6, from 4-6pm, for our Karibu Cultural Celebration Book Launch & New Hope Award Presentation Ceremony, at the BCA Community Room, located at 405 Pine St. in Burlington.

About

Karibu, which means "welcome" in Swahili, is CVOEO's annual community-centered cultural event celebrating the growing diversity of the Burlington area through fashion, performance, and storytelling. Over the years, Karibu has grown into a meaningful celebration of culture, creativity, and community, bringing together makers, models, performers, and community leaders.

Central to this annual event is our fundraising efforts to support CVOEO’s Asylum Seekers Assistance Program. Together, we know that we can raise funds to support asylum seekers in our community, while also offering a moment of recognition and celebration of the culture and talent in Vermont’s New American community.

Karibu 2026 Book Project

In 2026, Karibu will produce a Cultural Celebration Book featuring photography and personal reflections from past participants and New Hope Award recipients.

This project honors the history and impact of this event and creates a lasting record of the voices that shape our community.

Were you part of Karibu or a New Hope Award recipient? We invite you to share your story for this special project. You will receive a personal invitation in early summer.

How to participate

We encourage participation in the following ways:

New for 2026: Participate by sharing your story in the Karibu book. Past participants and New Hope Award recipients will receive an email to share your experiences.

Early Summer 2026 – Outreach & story collection
Summer 2026 – Book creation
November 2026 – Book launch & community celebration

Attend the event: Join us on November 6, from 4-6pm, for our Karibu Cultural Celebration Book Launch & New Hope Award Presentation Ceremony, at the BCA Community Room, located at 405 Pine St. in Burlington.

Make a one-time gift: Funds raised provide asylees with emergency support to purchase essential items, including personal hygiene supplies, diapers, food, and medicine. Your donation and fundraising efforts provide:

Help us meet our ambitious goal to support asylum seekers in Vermont!

Want to extend your impact and show your community you care? Become an event sponsor and directly support Vermont's asylum seekers! Learn more below.

Please note for 2026: Sponsorship recognition will transition to the Karibu book launch and 2026 celebration.

LINK TO SPONSOR COMING SOON.

Presenting Sponsor - $5,000

Designation as a Presenting Sponsor of Karibu
Sponsor recognition throughout marketing collateral and communications pertaining to Karibu, including but not limited to:

Event landing page on www.cvoeo.org, invitation, and ticketing platform
Prominent logo placement onsite at the event
Recognition on programs and/or special event collateral, to be determined
Verbal recognition during the event
Special thank you post specifically for Presenting Sponsors on CVOEO’s social media: Facebook (2,400+ followers) and Instagram (2,000+ followers)
Opportunity to share promotional items/collateral at event, to be mutually agreed upon

Runway Sponsor - $2,500

Designation as a Runway Sponsor of Karibu
Sponsor recognition throughout marketing collateral and communications pertaining to Karibu, including but not limited to:

Event landing page on www.cvoeo.org, invitation, and ticketing platform
Prominent logo placement onsite at the event
Recognition on programs and/or special event collateral, to be determined
Verbal recognition during the event

Vogue Sponsor - $1,000

Designation as a Vogue Sponsor of Karibu
Sponsor recognition throughout marketing collateral and communications pertaining to Karibu, including but not limited to:

Event landing page on www.cvoeo.org and invitation
Logo placement onsite at the event
Recognition on programs and/or special event collateral, to be determined
Verbal recognition during the event

Trendsetter Sponsor - $500

Designation as a Trendsetter Sponsor of Karibu
Sponsor recognition throughout marketing collateral and communications pertaining to Karibu, including but not limited to:

Event landing page on www.cvoeo.org
Logo placement onsite at the event
Recognition on programs and/or special event

Save the date

What: Book Launch and Community Celebration
When: November 6, 2026, 4-6PM
Where: BCA Community Room

New Hope Award

Each year, the Crystal Family New Hope Award presentation ceremony takes place during the Karibu Cultural Celebration.

Learn more

Who participates?

All are encouraged to attend! Join us to learn, share, and build a stronger community, together.

Event participants include all those who want to celebrate Vermont's growing diversity, supporters of CVOEO's Asylum Seekers Assistance Program, and members of Vermont's New American community.

Why participate?

This vibrant event raises funds to support CVOEO's Asylum Seekers Assistance Program.

By attending, you show your support for our growing and diverse community, while helping to ensure that asylum seekers in Vermont have access to basic resources.