Meet Cait Howerton, MBA,CFP® | Smyrna Is Fabulous Director of Community Relations, Certified Financial Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cait Howerton, MBA,CFP® and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cait, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Smyrna is Fabulous welcomes and celebrates Smyrna, Georgia LGBTQ+ Residents and Allies by creating community and building partnerships founded in social equality. Smyrna is Fabulous believes that everyone should feel welcome, respected, and appreciated. We imagine a city where no one has to wonder if they will be rejected as a neighbor because of who they love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Smyrna Pride is the second largest Pride celebration in the State of Georgia. In just a few short years, we have over 1,500 members of our Smyrna is Fabulous community. As an organization that welcomes and celebrates its LGBTQ+ Residents and Allies by creating community and building partnerships founded in social equality, we’re so proud of the presence that we’ve built in the suburbs of Georgia.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, if it’s in June, we definitely recommend PRIDE MONTH celebrations in Smyrna, Georgia!

Smyrna City officials will acknowledge LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with a proclamation reading at a City Council meeting held on Monday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM at City Hall.

Kicking off the Pride weekend festivities will start with the 2nd annual Drag Show Kickoff Party on Friday, June 21st at 7:00 PM at The Vineyard Wine Market. Tickets can be purchased online.

Smyrna Market Village will host the 3rd annual Pride Festival on Saturday, June 22nd from 12:00-6:00 PM. The Pride Festival is FREE and open to all. This year we will be hosting over 34+ local vendors, each have been intentionally selected with regards to being LGBTQIA+ owned, supportive of equality in the community, and/or providing services benefiting the LGTBQIA+ community. All vendors will all be family- friendly. Participants this year will include artisans, affirming religious organizations, entertainment, health and wellness organizations, and kid- friendly interactive play areas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Smyrna is Fabulous began small with a dream of celebrating inclusiveness and love in Smyrna, Georgia.

In 2021, one member of the LGBTQ+ community and two allies asked Smyrna businesses to fly Rainbow Pride flags as a show of support. On June 26, 2021, members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies gathered in Smyrna Market Village, which was covered in Pride flags. During this gathering, they celebrated Pride among friends and family.

This outpouring of support and excitement showed an unmet need for an intentional organization promoting community-based inclusion and equality. By July 2021, a Smyrna is Fabulous Planning Committee was established. By Fall 2021, Smyrna is Fabulous was an official 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Smyrna is Fabulous has grown to be one of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in Georgia. Learn more at www.smyrnaisfabulous.org.

Website: https://www.smyrnaisfabulous.org/pride2024

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smyrnaisfabulous/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/487824909302941/

Image Credits
@films.bychelsea