Category: Happenings

John Reinking – Member Profile February 2026

Posted on by Jeremy

John Reinking
Trustee Member
DJ Sweettooth

John Reinking – known to many in South Florida as DJ Sweettooth – has always believed that community isn’t just where you live; it’s what you invest in. A Fort Lauderdale native, Reinking grew up surrounded by the energy, diversity and creativity that define the Riverwalk district today.In 2025, he took a meaningful step toward giving back by joining the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale as a trustee member, combining his local roots with a deep commitment to community impact.

By profession, Reinking is a DJ and creative entrepreneur, roles that have allowed him to connect with people across backgrounds, generations and neighborhoods. But beyond the music and events, his passion lies in using his platform to create tangible change. “Being part of Riverwalk is personal,” Reinking said. “Th is city helped shape who I am, and I feel a responsibility to contribute in a way that truly matters.”

That commitment is perhaps best refected in Baked with Brooksy, a charity event Reinking co-founded with his partner, Justin Brooks. What began as a creative concept quickly evolved into a mission-driven initiative, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Broward Voices for Children – an organization dedicated to advocating for abused, neglected and abandoned children in the local foster care system. Through music, community engagement and philanthropy, Baked with Brooksy has become a meaningful outlet for awareness and support.

For Reinking, impact isn’t abstract – it’s local, direct and personal. Whether through his role as a Riverwalk trustee member or his charitable efforts, he remains focused on strengthening the community that raised him. His story is one of purpose meeting opportunity and of giving back not for recognition, but for results – helping ensure Fort Lauderdale continues to thrive for generations to come.

Membership, Feburary 2026 Go Riverwalk Magazine

Greater Fort Lauderdale Event Calendar – Submission Guidelines, Tips and Tricks

Posted on by Jeremy

GEOGRAPHIC AREA COVERED: The Greater Fort Lauderdale Event Calendar focuses on events occurring in Greater Fort Lauderdale and the downtown Riverwalk District.  Other events in Broward County will be approved based on their relevance to our followers and partners.  EVENTS IN MIAMI AND PALM BEACH COUNTY DO NOT FIT OUR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.

TYPES OF EVENTS: All special and recurring events are eligible for inclusion.  Priority is given to free and non-profit events.  Events generally not eligible include networking events, organization/group meetings and events occurring in bars and restaurants (happy hours/theme nights/holidays) unless in partnership with a non-profit organization.  

EVENT SUBMISSION: Complete ALL fields (including event image) for approval.  No incomplete or partial submissions are allowed; if you later need to update information email calendar@GoRiverwalk.com

  • NAME AND EMAIL: This information is only for Riverwalk staff to contact you if there are issues with your posting. Provide a valid, individual email address.
  • EVENT NAME: This will be the title online for your event. Please do not put in all caps unless the event is titled that way.  (Limit of 50 characters, spaces included)
  • WHEN: DATE AND TIME: For events occurring on a single day or consecutive days, enter the start and end date and event times.
    • MULTIPLE SESSIONS/SEATINGS: Use the “Add Time Slot” option, do not create separate events for each time slot. 
    • RECURRING EVENTS:
    • Check the recurring event box when your event reoccurs repeatedly, regularly and/or on non-consecutive days. For example: 3rd Wed of the month, the 5th of every month, 1st and 3rd Saturday.  If the recurrences are consecutive “Monday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 5”, this is a single event happening for 2 days, not a recurring event. “Event Duration” box – If each recurrence is 2 days, enter 1.  If each recurrence is 3 days (Friday-Sunday) select 2.
    • Customization – If there are dates in the recurrence where the event will not happen and/or dates that are out of the normal schedule, use the “+Event Dates” and “+Unavailable Dates” options at the bottom. 
  • WHERE: Enter location name if one location; if location does not prepopulate, enter the address.   If there are multiple locations or the event is virtual, enter a web address.
  • DETAILS: This should be a detailed, informative description of your event. You can add additional hyperlinks to websites and emails in this box if you wish. 
  • SUMMARY (NEW): A short summary about your event.  Limit of 80 characters, spaces included
  • EVENT LINK: the website for your event.  MUST START WITH “https://”
  • ORGANIZATION: The name of the organization hosting the event.
  • NOT-FOR-PROFIT: Is your organization a non-profit?
  • ORGANIZATION LINK: The link to your organization’s website. MUST START WITH “https://”
  • YOUR PHONE (not required): Organization phone number
  • CATEGORY: Select the category that best relates to your event.
  • EVENT IMAGE: You must upload an image for your event here. Please keep in mind that the website requires images with a minimum size of 200 * 200 pixels and a maximum up to 700*700 pixels and the file size of 200 kb or less! For best display your image should be square.  IF THE IMAGE DOES NOT FIT THESE GUIDELINES YOUR IMAGE WILL BE CROPPED TO IT’S MOST EFFECTIVE DISPLAY AT THE CALENDAR EDITOR’S DISCRETION.

APPROVAL PROCESS: Events will typically be approved within 2 business days, but may take longer.  You will receive an email notification only after the event is approved. Approved events are eligible to be included in Go Riverwalk Magazine’s Events Connection, Riverwalk’s weekly events e-mail and our social media; no further action is required.  For inclusion in Go Riverwalk Magazine events must be submitted at least 1 month before the calendar month of the event (for events occurring in May, events must be submitted by April 1 to be eligible for inclusion).

If you have any questions, submit with an error and need to make a correction, or later need to make an update, please email calendar@GoRiverwalk.com with the subject “Calendar Submission Update” and the name of the event.

Empowerment Village

Posted on by Jeremy

Gain more independence with free immediate resourced available to empower you!

Presented by the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Neighbor Leadership Academy – Cohort 14.

Monday, January 19, 2026
9 AM to 11 AM
Provident Park

Provided by your local, community organizations.

October 2025 Fall Get Downtown at YOLO

Posted on by Jeremy

On Oct. 7, Riverwalk members and corporate partners joined staff and Board members at YOLO on Las Olas for the fall Get Downtown, Riverwalk’s twice-a-year general membership reception. YOLO is the perfect setting to welcome members back
for the start of event season, and the perfect partner to host this long-time event. Thank you to the team at YOLO that always delivers great service and food, and to our members and partners who empower us to deliver great events, year after year.

YOLO
333 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

October 2025 Power Mixer at The Lobby on New River

Posted on by Jeremy

On Oct. 27, Riverwalk again ventured south of the river for the final Power Mixer of the year at The Lobby on New River (formerly Masa & More). Riverwalk Trustee and Executive members and Corporate Partners enjoyed an evening at this unique venue, a new neighborhood hangout at the
intersection of downtown and Rio Vista, situated right along the Riverwalk. Thank you to our sponsors, FitFactor Training and Dynamix for their
support of the evening, and to our host, Rob Wild, for welcoming the Riverwalk community into his establishment.

The Lobby on New River
(formerly Masa & More)
510 SE 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Riverwalk Exclusives – December 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

Derrick Gruner – Member Profile December 2025

Posted on by Jeremy

Derrick Gruner
Trustee Member

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Community involvement has always been important to me. In faith we are taught to be good stewards, and meaningful stewardship necessarily
includes community.

My personal stewardship journey began when I was the youngest vice president in the history of our local chamber of commerce and continued through terrific programs like Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 2005), Leadership Miami (Class of 2009) and Leadership Los Angeles (Class of 2014). It has included sitting on the board of directors for youth offender intervention non-profit Inside-Outside of Jacksonville, serving on the board of directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and continues today in my second year of service on the Riverwalk board of directors.

I discovered Fort Lauderdale’s own Riverwalk by an accident of serendipity. A frequent cyclist, the paths are part of a scenic route from my South Bank neighborhood to the beach. It was some time before I realized that the Riverwalk is more than mere physical infrastructure, it is in fact an organization that by its very definition is the steward of our community’s most iconic aspect beyond the beach. Being drawn to the Riverwalk organization’s mission of stewardship as consistent with my own, I joined and soon began volunteering. Th e Riverwalk organization is comprised of like-minded souls who are not here for profit but are passionate stewards of a vital asset and tireless in their efforts to create a vibrant community. So, when I am asked aft er hours of volunteering in the blazing South Florida sun at a Riverwalk event why I do it, the answer is simple: this is how we make a life!

Membership – December 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

Jarrett Blakeley – Member Profile November 2025

Posted on by Jeremy

Jarrett Blakeley
Corporate Partner
Founder,
Blakeley Law Firm, P. A.

When attorney Jarrett Blakeley moved to Fort Lauderdale 15 years ago to begin his personal injury career, his first home was alongside the Riverwalk. The area quickly became a central part of his life, offering inspiration as he built what would grow into one of Florida’s respected personal injury practices. Today, he still spends much of his free time along the Riverwalk with his family, enjoying its local businesses, cultural events and scenic beauty.


Blakeley is the founder of Blakeley Law Firm, which has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville. The firm focuses almost exclusively on representing victims of car, motorcycle, truck and rideshare accidents. Known for pairing aggressive advocacy with genuine compassion, the firm has recovered over $200 million for injured clients across Florida.
For Blakeley, joining and supporting Riverwalk

For Blakeley, joining and supporting Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale represents both a professional commitment and a personal one. “Fort Lauderdale is not just where we practice law – it’s home,” he said. “Being part of Riverwalk means giving back to the community that has supported me from the very beginning.”

Th rough this partnership, Blakeley Law Firm continues its dual mission: advocating for accident victims in the courtroom while also supporting the cultural and civic heartbeat of the city it proudly calls home.

Membership – November 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine