🌍 Taste the World: The 6th Annual ICN Diversity Brunch is Back!

6th Annual Diversity Brunch

Saturday, September 26, 10:30 AM - 1 PM at ICN 12 South

Assalamu Alaikum (peace be upon you), Nashville!

Our vision at the Islamic Center of Nashville has always been to build stronger relationships and bridges of understanding with our neighbors by opening our doors and sharing our wonderful, diverse community through food and culture. Over the past few years, we have cherished connecting with you through various outreach initiatives, but we are especially excited to announce the return of our largest cultural celebration.

For the first time since 2019, the Annual Diversity Brunch is back! Get excited by watching this Quick Recap Video from our last event!

Bring your family and friends, your appetite, and your curiosity!

🎟️ Registration & Check-In Tickets

Pre-Registered Guests: Please check your inbox for your confirmation email, which contains your PDF check-in tickets. Upon arrival, head to the check-in table and present your ticket (printed or on your phone) to receive your entry wristbands and official Program Guide.

• Still Need to Register? Pre-registration helps us manage the flow. Sign up below!

• (Note: Country Table Hosts and assigned Volunteers, please check your email for a separate message with your specific arrival times and access credentials!)

Register as a Guest

What to Expect

Step into a vibrant morning of shared meals, new friendships, and beautiful traditions! This beloved event brings together over 600 visitors each year to celebrate the richness of culture, heritage, and cuisine from over 30 countries. Come and experience the beauty of diversity through delicious dishes, vibrant displays, and meaningful connections.

Event Highlights:

• 30+ Country Tables: Taste authentic, bite-sized cuisine from around the globe.

• Special Guests & Awards: We are honored to welcome Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who is expected to attend! The program will feature the presentation of our annual Beyond Borders award and the Top 3 Cultural Presentation and Food Taste awards. Special guest judges Anas Saba (Nashville Hidden Gems) and vocalist/songwriter Mo Sabri will be joining us to help crown the winners!

• Second Harvest Food Drive: We are partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to collect non-perishables. Please bring canned goods to drop in the donation boxes at the event!

• The Schedule: General networking starts at 10:30 AM, and the outdoor brunch lines officially open at 11:00 AM.

• Food Tickets: General entry and networking are completely free! Food plates will be $7 each. Payments via card or cash will be collected on-site at the dedicated Food Payment table.

• Want to see the full schedule and the list of over 35 participating countries before you arrive? 👉 Download the full Program Guide here.

Guest Experience

To ensure a smooth and joyful morning, here is exactly how the event will flow and what we kindly ask of our guests:

• Arrival & Check-In: Doors open at 10:30 AM. Whether you pre-registered (highly recommended!) or are walking in, please head to the check-in table first to receive your entry wristband and official Program Guide.

• Attire: As you will be taking a tour of our sanctuary, we kindly request dressing modestly for both men and women (please avoid shorts, short dresses, and sleeveless tops). Otherwise, dress comfortably as you please!

• Shoes & The Prayer Hall: Similar to entering a yoga studio, shoes must be removed before stepping into the main prayer hall. To avoid congestion at the shoe racks, please do not leave your shoes on the shelves—we will provide shoe bags so you can easily carry your shoes with you, as well as shoe covers!

• Food & Zero-Waste: Brunch lines open at 11:00 AM. To help us protect the facility, all food and beverages must be consumed outside. We are a zero-waste event, so please compost all ICN items in the provided bins, and use regular bins for any outside trash.

Detailed Parking Instructions

Parking in the 12 South neighborhood can be busy, so please review your options carefully:

• ICN Reserved Lots (Free, First-Come): Guests may park at 2503 12th Ave S or the Primrose School at 2400 10th Ave S.

• Handicap & Elderly Drop-Off: A dedicated drop-off zone is available specifically on the Sweetbriar side of the building.

• Public Street Parking: Montrose Ave offers open, unrestricted parking. Side streets west of 12th (Sweetbriar, Beechwood, Dallas, Elmwood) and east of 12th (Gilmore, Caruthers) offer free 2-hour limited parking.

• Important Neighborhood Rules: Do NOT park on Halcyon Ave (it is Residential Permit Only). Please be careful not to block our neighbors' residential driveways or mailboxes.

How to Get Involved

To make this event a massive success for our 600+ anticipated guests, we need our internal ICN community to help out! Here is how you can participate: 

Represent Your Country (For the ICN Community)

Secure your spot to share your culture! We need up to 4 volunteer representatives per country to host a table. You will prepare 1-2 bite-size authentic, Halal dishes for 120-150 sample servings to be served outdoors, while your indoor table will feature cultural artifacts and facts. Please sign-up by September 20th.

Host a Country Table

Volunteer Your Time (For the ICN Community)

We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help across multiple areas, including Guest Check-in, Food & Beverages, Security & Parking, and Country Participant support. Help us provide incredible hospitality to our neighbors! Please sign-up by September 25th.

Volunteer for a Shift

A Look Back at Past Brunches

Curious about what to expect or want to relive the beautiful memories from our previous gatherings? Check out these highlights from past years:

• 2016 Video: Watch on YouTube

• Tennessean Article (2017)

• Channel 5 Video

We cannot wait to step into a vibrant morning of shared meals, new friendships, and beautiful traditions with all of you. See you on Saturday, September 26th!