Events
will.i.am’s Inspiring Young Minds
will.i.am’s Passion for STEM Shines at the 2023 FIRST Inspire Gala in Miami Beach: A Night of Innovation, Music, and Education Excellence.
December 6th, 2023
In a resounding fusion of music, technology, and philanthropy, the 2023 FIRST Inspire Gala, a collaborative effort between youth-serving nonprofits FIRST® and the i.am/Angel Foundation, took center stage at the illustrious Loews Miami Beach Hotel on December 6. This annual celebration marked a triumphant ode to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and its pivotal role in shaping the young minds of today.
The gala unfolded against the backdrop of Art Basel Miami, drawing luminaries from the worlds of STEM education and industry. Chaired by Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST and President of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, and will.i.am, the multifaceted musician, tech entrepreneur, and philanthropist, the event sparkled with star-studded allure and purposeful vigor.
Notable attendees included influential figures such as Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation; Melissa Smith, a stalwart in the STEM advocacy space; Nadja Sayej, renowned art curator and commentator; Mike Bezos, a notable figure in philanthropy and father to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos; Eliad Cohen, a prominent advocate for STEM education; Chris Moore, a respected entrepreneur and philanthropist; and George Clinton, a legendary musician with an enduring commitment to innovation, graced the event with their presence.
(L to R) will.i.am and George Clinton
will.i.am, the multifaceted musician, tech entrepreneur, and philanthropist, shared insights on the advice and guidance he received from his mother, emphasizing the importance of education.
“First, I went to a science magnet school,” he said. “My school taught us computer science, physics, and oceanography at an early age. So, before I was into music, I was into some form of STEM education. Music was a way for me to express myself when I got a little older. I was at a magnet program from 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 15 is when I really fell in love with music. By 17, I had a record deal, but education was always first in my life. When I fell in love with music, I realized my passion and my calling. And with that success, I went back to my community and started a college prep program and robotics science programs. Started with 65 kids, now serving around 13,000 students. Music changed my life. My mom was a mentor to keep me on track and keep me away from trouble. Both my education and my music were a way to keep me out of trouble, especially when you live in a community that’s troubled.”
“The reason why I love robotics is because it’s a pathway for kids to apply themselves,” he continued. “While applying themselves, solving problems, they are getting the skill sets to not only solve tomorrow’s problems, but they have the ability to create tomorrow’s industries and fill jobs that are of the future. Especially going into your neighborhoods where a kid doesn’t have to leave their neighborhood to get an education. For me, I was one of those kids that left my neighborhood to get a better education by going to a better neighborhood. I thank my mom for having the foresight to send me off.”
“Now I want people to love their community and bring the skill sets and the tools to their community,” will.i.am elaborated. “Because every single hood eventually gets gentrified. Brooklyn. Every single hood eventually gets gentrified. Boyle Heights. But if you can transform the hood coming within that doesn’t drive people out and just brings them up. So yeah, that’s my whole mission.”
Highlights of the evening included a captivating red carpet adorned by these luminaries, riveting robot demonstrations by local students, and an inspirational program showcasing the myriad ways in which FIRST empowers students. Dean Kamen, a fervent advocate for STEM education, expressed the transformative impact of FIRST on students, emphasizing the development of critical skills, exploration of career possibilities, and the carving of individual life paths.
The event featured a fireside chat between Dean Kamen and will.i.am, delving into the current state of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education for young minds and its profound impact on the future. will.i.am, founder of the i.am/Angel Foundation, passionately underlined the opportunities FIRST provides for students to acquire career and life skills, collaborate in teams, and become part of a global community empowered to design a better world.
(L to R): will.i.am and Dean Kamen
A special tribute unfolded at the gala, recognizing Ursula Burns for her unwavering commitment to FIRST. As a member of the FIRST Board of Directors since 2000, Burns graciously shared her time with students at FIRST events and served as a mentor to FIRST alumni in their careers. Her tenure as the CEO of Xerox Corporation from 2009 to 2016 further exemplifies her leadership in transforming the company into the world’s most diversified business services entity.
The gala also welcomed students from various FIRST teams, including Robotics Competition Team 59 “RamTech” and Tech Challenge Team 16484 “ROBOCANES,” showcasing the diverse impact of STEM education across different age groups and programs.
Notably, the Gala raised funds to support the FIRST mission, directing proceeds toward making STEM programs more accessible globally, particularly to underserved and underrepresented populations. The collaboration between the i.am/Angel Foundation and FIRST headquarters initiatives promises to inspire and support young minds on their educational journeys.
(L to R): will.i.am and Dean Kamen
To learn more about FIRST, donate, or contribute to this transformative cause, please visit https://www.firstinspires.org/. The 2023 FIRST Inspire Gala stands as a testament to the collaborative force of will.i.am and First Robotics, igniting the flame of STEM education that will continue to illuminate the paths of countless young innovators around the world.
About FIRST
FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. An international not-for-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.
Pictured: FIRST® team with will.i.am and Dean Kamen
About i.am/Angel Foundation
As part of his commitment to philanthropy, will.i.am launched the i.am Angel Foundation in 2009 to TRANS4M lives through education, inspiration and opportunity. The foundation administers charitable activities and programs targeted towards providing college scholarships (i.am scholarship), college preparation (i.am College Track), and opportunities in STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). The i.am Angel Foundation is especially committed to transforming will.i.am’s hometown of Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles. Boyle Heights is a predominantly low-income, working class, immigrant community that is rich in culture and potential, but struggling with a lack of resources and opportunities. The i.am/Angel Foundation strives to turn Boyle Heights into a model for other communities around the world. Visit i.am/Angel Foundation for more information.
Some apps are built to help you buy more. Zèya is trying to get people to think a little differently.
March 27, 2026
The Miami-based platform, which centers on swapping and extending the life of everyday items, is stepping into its next phase with the launch of Zèya 3.0, arriving April 1. The updated app is designed to make trading feel smarter, easier, and more intuitive, while still keeping the human side of exchange front and center.
At its core, Zèya is built around a simple idea that feels surprisingly refreshing right now. Most people already have things someone else wants.
For founder Mehdi Taifi, that way of thinking came naturally.
“I was a trader working in finance, so stocks inspired me,” Taifi said. “Bartering came naturally. We all have things other people want, and you don’t even know it.”
That mindset helps explain why Zèya does not position itself as just another resale app. In a digital world full of cluttered listings, questionable sellers, and platforms that often feel impersonal, Taifi sees Zèya as something more social, more direct, and a lot more human.
“On Facebook Marketplace, there are so many bots, you don’t know what’s real and what’s not,” he said. “Every time selling is involved, there are scams. There are no real review systems. On OfferUp, there’s so much noise, you don’t know where things are coming from. Our app has a social component in swiping, which makes individuals more invested. It feels very human. We also have a review system for safety and security.”
Part of what makes Zèya interesting is that it borrows a mechanic people already instantly understand. Swiping is so tied to Tinder and dating apps that most people associate it with attraction, chemistry, and quick decisions about people. Zèya takes that same familiar motion and applies it to stuff instead. It turns swiping into a way to discover items, spark exchanges, and make the whole process feel more engaging than scrolling through endless resale listings.
“We aren’t competing with currency. This is just a different way to think about value,” Taifi said. “We added the swiping mechanism to something that used to feel exclusive to online dating. You don’t have to just swipe on people. We have swiping and swapping.”
It is a clever idea, but the bigger appeal is the lifestyle shift behind it. Zèya is tapping into a growing desire to be more resourceful with what people already have, rather than always defaulting to shopping for something new.
“I want people to look at the things in their home as an opportunity,” Taifi said. “Don’t think about the cost of the things you need. Think instead about how you can acquire or trade in return.”
That framing gives Zèya a bigger ambition than just being useful. The app lives at the intersection of sustainability, community, and convenience, but it also carries a certain optimism. It suggests that value can move between people in ways that feel creative, local, and personal.
Zèya 3.0 reflects that vision with a redesigned experience and more personalized technology aimed at making meaningful swaps easier to find. The launch also marks an important moment for the company as it continues to grow its presence and encourage more people to rethink how they consume.
Taifi is not shy about where he hopes it all goes.
“It’s just a matter of time before Zèya becomes bigger,” he said. “As we grow, the idea of ‘why don’t you just Zèya your purse?’ is my dream. I want it to be a verb. I want a verb associated with the brand. I want it to become a cultural movement and eventually feel normal.”
That kind of confidence is part of the energy surrounding the launch. According to Taifi, the app has already gained 55,000 users in a year, and he believes this newest version will push the concept much further.
“This brand new version is going to make it very different,” he said. “We’re taking it to that next level. For people who looked at Zèya in the past, we encourage them to take a second look.”
And honestly, that may be the real story here. Zèya is not just launching an update. It is trying to make swapping feel normal, stylish, and part of everyday life. In a city like Miami, where image, taste, and reinvention are already built into the culture, that idea may land more naturally than people expect.
With Zèya 3.0 arriving April 1, the Miami startup is betting that the future of exchange feels less like selling and more like possibility.
Download the app HERE
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With Sunset Sapphics now launched as a new monthly women’s event at Palace, the Ocean Drive icon is making a serious case for one of South Florida’s most exciting recurring lesbian nights.
March 23, 2026
Some nights have chemistry the second you walk in. Sunset Sapphics at Palace South Beach had that from the start.
I went to the March 21 edition of Sunset Sapphics, Palace’s recurring rooftop pool party for queer women in Miami, and the energy was there almost immediately. Hosted by queer influencer couple Zashia Santiago and Tay Tate, with music by DJ Sammii Blendz and sponsorships from Wet For Her and VDOM, the party took over the Palace Rooftop Pool Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and turned Ocean Drive into exactly the kind of women’s night you want Miami to deliver.
The rooftop was gorgeous, the weather did exactly what it needed to do, and the crowd felt ready in the best possible way. Not overly posed. Not trying too hard. Just genuinely ready to flirt, laugh, dance a little, and enjoy themselves. That made the whole night click almost immediately. It felt warm, social, playful, and just a little dangerous in a fun way. Exactly what a rooftop party like this should feel like.
There was something especially sexy about how natural the energy was. Nobody was manufacturing a moment because the moment was already there. People were talking, moving, circling the rooftop, locking eyes, laughing with their drinks in hand, and settling into the kind of mood that makes a night feel easy and magnetic all at once. It had a real spark. The kind you cannot fake and definitely cannot force.
A huge part of that came down to the music. DJ Sammii Blendz knew exactly how to hold the room without pushing it too far. The set kept the rooftop pulsing, but it never tipped into chaos. It was confident, smooth, and perfectly in tune with the night. Enough to make people move, enough to make people linger, and enough to keep that charged little current running through the crowd. Palace described the event as a rooftop pool party built around community, connection, and nightlife, and that balance really came through in the room.
One of the funniest and most unforgettable parts of the night was the dance contest, which gave the whole party an extra dose of personality. It was playful, cheeky, and just the right amount of wild. Contest winners were even handed sexy toys throughout the night, which pushed the whole thing into even flirtier territory and made the crowd even more into it. It gave the event that wink of mischief that took it from fun to fully memorable.
What made Sunset Sapphics at The Palace work so well was that it felt seductive without being try hard. It was playful, confident, and a little naughty, but it never felt overly packaged. It just felt like women were out, feeling good, looking hot, and actually enjoying the room they were in. In a city that is always trying to sell you a scene, that matters. This one did not need to sell it. The vibe was already there.
And honestly, the fact that it is recurring is a big part of why the night felt exciting. This was not just some one-off party people would talk about once and forget. It felt like the beginning of something people are actually going to start planning around. Palace is giving queer women a visible, intentional, genuinely fun night to come back to, and that kind of consistency matters.
A recurring women’s party with this kind of energy has real potential. It gives people a place to come back to. It gives the crowd something to anticipate. And it gives South Florida a recurring women’s night that feels hot, social, and alive instead of random or afterthought-level.
That is really why the night landed. Yes, it was sexy. Yes, it was playful. Yes, it had chemistry. But it also felt like it knew exactly who it was for. And when a party has that kind of clarity, people feel it immediately.
Sunset Sapphics at Palace South Beach was flirty, lively, and full of the kind of tension that makes a rooftop event actually fun. Between the music, the crowd, the playful contest, the sexy prizes, and all the charged little moments in between, it delivered the kind of night that felt easy to fall into and very hard to leave.
This was not just another night out. It was the kind of night that reminds you how good a rooftop, the right music, and the right women can feel when everything lands exactly the way it should.
Find out more here. The next event is 4/18!
Website: https://www.palacesouthbeach.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palacesobe
As Miami Beach Pride 2026 takes over South Beach on April 11 and 12, there is one place on Ocean Drive that feels especially central to the energy of the weekend: Palace Bar.
March 23, 2026
For years, Palace has been one of the most recognizable names in Miami Beach LGBTQ+ nightlife, and during Pride, it becomes even more of a go-to spot for people who want to celebrate in the middle of it all. That connection is not random. Tom, the owner and driving force behind Palace Bar, is also a founding member of Miami Beach Pride, which makes the venue’s role during the weekend feel even more meaningful. The Palace is not just nearby during Pride. It is part of the spirit, history, and celebration of the event itself.
So what can people actually do there during Pride weekend?
For starters, Palace gives people a place to gather, celebrate, and keep the energy going throughout the day and night. If you are spending Pride weekend in Miami Beach, Palace is the kind of place where you can stop in with friends, grab cocktails, enjoy the atmosphere, and be surrounded by the kind of crowd that makes the whole weekend feel alive. It is one of those venues that naturally becomes part of people’s Pride plans because it already carries so much personality, visibility, and South Beach energy.
Guests can also expect Palace to serve as a lively place to experience the social side of Miami Beach Pride. Whether you are meeting up before heading to other events, looking for a fun stop along Ocean Drive, or wanting somewhere iconic to continue the celebration, Palace offers that mix of entertainment, nightlife, and community that people want from a Pride weekend destination.
AJ Prasaguet, General Manager of Palace Bar, is also looking ahead to the venue serving as a home for the celebration alongside Tom. That role feels fitting for a place that has become synonymous with joy, performance, resilience, and queer nightlife in Miami Beach. During a weekend as meaningful and high-energy as Pride, Palace becomes more than just a bar. It becomes part of the experience people remember.
Another big part of the appeal is location. Being right on Ocean Drive puts Palace in the center of the action, which matters during a weekend like Miami Beach Pride. You are not tucked away from the celebration. You are in it. That makes it easy and exciting to work into your plans, whether you want a festive drink, a vibrant social atmosphere, or a classic South Beach Pride stop with real history.
And honestly, that history matters. Palace is not just fun. It is part of the larger story of LGBTQ+ life and celebration in Miami Beach.
At a time when Miami Beach Pride continues to draw attention from across South Florida and beyond, Palace remains one of the clearest examples of what it means for a venue to be both iconic and community-rooted. Pride weekend is always about more than parties. It is about showing up, being seen, honoring history, and celebrating how far the community has come. Palace Bar stands right at the center of that energy.
With its 38-year legacy, deep roots in the Pride community, and one of the most recognizable names on South Beach, Palace Bar offers Pride weekend visitors exactly what they are usually looking for: a place to celebrate, connect, soak up the Ocean Drive atmosphere, and be part of something bigger than just one more night out.
If you are planning your Miami Beach Pride 2026 weekend, Palace Bar is the kind of stop that lets you do more than just go out. It lets you feel like you are right where the celebration lives.
Check out more here!
Website: https://www.palacesouthbeach.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palacesobe
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Ocean Drive landmark Palace Bar celebrates Women’s Month, Miami Music Week, and its 38th year with international DJs, rooftop parties, and a full month of nightlife programming.
March 4, 2026
If there’s one place on Ocean Drive that consistently knows how to throw a party, it’s Palace Bar Miami Beach.
The iconic LGBTQ+ venue at 1052 Ocean Drive is stepping into March with a packed calendar of nightlife events, international DJs, rooftop takeovers, and new programming celebrating Women’s Month and Miami Music Week 2026.
For nearly four decades, Palace has been one of the most recognizable venues in Miami Beach nightlife. Known for its legendary drag brunches, high-energy performances, and rooftop events overlooking Ocean Drive, the venue continues to evolve while staying rooted in the community that helped make it a South Beach institution.
This month, the programming stretches beyond the building itself.
A rooftop launch and beachside hospitality
March begins with Palace stepping directly onto the sand.
On Sunday, March 1, the venue hosted VIP cabanas at the Winter Party Beach Party on 10th Street Beach, bringing premium cocktail and bottle service hospitality directly to the shoreline.
Later that same day, Palace launched AURÉA: Where Day Turns Legendary, a new weekly luxury rooftop Sunday series designed around golden-hour energy and sunset views over Ocean Drive.
The opening event featured DJ Juka from Mexico alongside opening DJ JRNY, setting the tone for what Palace hopes will become a signature weekly rooftop experience.
A new seasonal cocktail collection
A few days later, on Wednesday, March 4, the venue unveiled its Spring and Summer Cocktail Collection.
The seasonal menu introduces fresh flavor profiles, vibrant presentation, and a signature drink designed to define the months ahead. The launch arrives just as Miami’s event season begins heating up ahead of Miami Music Week and the busy spring calendar across South Beach.
Sunset Sapphire launches March 21
The celebrations continue on Saturday, March 21 with the debut of Sunset Sapphire, a new monthly nightlife experience launching during Women’s Month.
Hosted by queer influencer couple Zashia Santiago and Tay Tate, the event blends music, cocktails, movement, and immersive visual moments into a vibrant night celebrating women and their communities.
Set in the heart of the Ocean Drive nightlife district, Sunset Sapphire aims to become one of Miami Beach’s newest signature nightlife gatherings.
Palace becomes a Miami Music Week hub
Later in the month, Miami Music Week arrives and Palace Bar transforms into a multi-day destination for DJs, producers, and music lovers visiting the city from around the world.
From March 26 through March 29, the venue will host four nights of programming across both its rooftop and main space.
The weekend begins Thursday, March 26 with a label-driven showcase presented in partnership with HOTL Records. The event will feature more than fifteen DJs performing across an extended lineup.
On Friday, March 27, the energy moves to the rooftop with “We’re Never Going Home,” a takeover presented alongside Groove Cruise. More than twenty-five DJs will perform across a marathon rooftop and venue experience that runs from afternoon into the early morning hours.
One of the biggest highlights arrives Saturday, March 28 when Younan Music hosts its Miami Music Week showcase at Palace. Running from 12 PM to 4 AM, the event will feature more than fifteen DJs and a lineup of internationally recognized house and electronic artists including Carlo Lio, Juanito, Saeed Younan, Sirus Hood, Vito (UK), Eddie Lopez, Adriano Longi, and Diezel.
The weekend wraps up Sunday, March 29 with a community-focused finale presented by Palace Productions. The closing event will spotlight more than ten local LGBTQ+ DJs and highlight Palace’s continued commitment to uplifting queer artists in Miami’s nightlife scene.
A busy month for a South Beach institution
Alongside the music programming, Palace continues celebrating its 38th year as one of Miami Beach’s most iconic nightlife venues.
Whether guests arrive for rooftop DJs, seasonal cocktails, or simply to soak in the energy of Ocean Drive, the venue remains one of the city’s most recognizable destinations for nightlife and entertainment.
South Florida Insider will also be covering select Palace Bar events throughout the month, including the Sunset Sapphire launch on March 21 and the Younan Music Miami Music Week showcase on March 28.
Additional coverage and highlights from both nights will follow after the events.
March event highlights
Winter Party Beach Party VIP cabanas — March 1
AURÉA rooftop series launch — March 1
Spring and Summer Cocktail Collection debut — March 4
Sunset Sapphire launch — March 21
HOTL Records showcase — March 26
We’re Never Going Home rooftop takeover — March 27
Younan Music Miami Music Week showcase — March 28
Palace Productions community finale — March 29
Palace Bar
1052 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, Florida
More information
https://www.palacesouthbeach.com
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