Some projects we work on live inside someone's home. This one lived in the middle of a parade route, surrounded by music and color and a few thousand people cheering.
For the second year in a row, Concetti sponsored a color guard performance at the Motor City Pride Parade. And while it might look like a fun one-off, it's actually rooted in something that's been part of our story for a long time.
Where This Actually Started
Long before Concetti, Rachel performed in color guard growing up, and later taught it. It's not a passing reference. It's part of how she learned to think about movement, performance, and showing up boldly in front of people. A few other members of our team have their own history with color guard too, both performing and teaching.
A few years ago, Rachel was standing at the Pride Parade as a spectator and had a simple thought: this could use a little more pageantry. That idea didn't fade. It turned into an actual plan, and last year we put it into motion for the first time. This year, we got to do it again.
What Came Together
Pulling this off took real coordination, and we were grateful for the partners who made it possible.
DJ Erikk Raphael brought the equipment and set the soundtrack for the whole morning, which honestly made the entire thing feel like a celebration instead of just a march.
R&S Marching Arts and Pride Flags sponsored the flags and banners our performers spun down the route. Watching color move through a crowd like that is something you don't forget.
Why This Matters to Us
One of our core beliefs at Concetti is that you get to be boldly you. At home, at work, and in your community. That belief doesn't stop at the studio door.
Showing up at Pride is one way we get to put that belief into action publicly. We want people to feel like they can celebrate exactly who they are, out loud, in their own city. And we want our community to know where we stand when it comes to supporting people being themselves, no exceptions.
There's also something more personal in it for us. When someone invites us into their home or their business to help design a space or build a brand, they're trusting us with something vulnerable. We don't take that lightly. Showing up for our community in moments like this is part of how we try to earn that trust before a project ever starts, not just during one.
This is Gratitude Attitude in practice. Supporting the community that has supported us, in a way that's loud, joyful, and exactly who we are.
We'll see you at the parade next year.
