COLUMBUS, Ohio - s4story -- Divercity614 will unveil The Next Destination, a year-round initiative helping creatives and entrepreneurs turn visibility into sustained opportunity, at the ninth annual Passport 2 Fashion on Friday, August 7, at The Vue Columbus.

Divercity614 will leverage its network and Central Ohio's creative, fashion, culinary, and small business ecosystems to connect participants with professionals, organizations, resources, and collaborators. Rather than duplicate existing services, it will serve as a trusted connector, helping participants navigate support aligned with their goals.

Initial offerings will include educational workshops, professional content and storytelling support, customer discovery opportunities, mentorship, and trusted referrals. Outreach will prioritize entrepreneurs and people from communities historically underserved by industry networks, funding, and professional visibility, while remaining open to participants of all backgrounds. Pop-up opportunities, stipends, and microgrants may be added as funding and partnerships grow.

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For emerging creatives and entrepreneurs, a public showcase can open a door, but the path afterward is often unclear. Building on Passport 2 Fashion and Passport 2 Flavor, The Next Destination will help participants continue learning, building relationships, reaching customers, and strengthening their ventures beyond an event.

The Next Destination will be unveiled during the ninth annual Passport 2 Fashion, a milestone that marks both the culmination of what the event has built and the beginning of a new chapter for Divercity614. Over nine years, Passport 2 Fashion has grown from a runway event into a platform for cultural storytelling, creative visibility, and connection. The Next Destination extends that work beyond the event itself, creating new ways for participants to continue building after the show.

"Representation has never been just a theme for us. It is infrastructure," said Aditi Bhatiya, founder and executive director of Divercity614. "This ninth year feels like a natural point of transformation. Passport 2 Fashion has reached a level of maturity where the next step is not simply to produce a larger show, but to build what comes after it. The Next Destination turns the visibility created through our platforms into a longer path for learning, relationships, and opportunity."

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The show will feature designers whose collections draw from cultures and stories around the world, headlined by Pamela Baker of TOC Legends House of Design. The event is funded in part by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and Franklin County's Office of Economic Engagement & Community Development.

Creatives, entrepreneurs, mentors, educators, funders, and community partners can join the interest list at passport2fashion.org.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Ninth Annual Passport 2 Fashion
When: Friday, August 7, 2026

ABOUT DIVERCITY614

Divercity614 is a Columbus-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses fashion, food, and storytelling to strengthen cultural connection and expand opportunities for creatives and entrepreneurs. Its signature programs include Passport 2 Fashion and Passport 2 Flavor.