Canna Biz Entrepreneurs ►
Highlighting Local Artists for a Good Cause
KC Cannabis Culture comes together at Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City for inaugural Gopack Station Honor Roll Collection Art Exhibit & Fashion Show .
by Rocco Scarcello , contributing writer
Gopack rolling station
Over 100 guests attended Gopack Rolling Station ’ s inaugural Honor Roll Collection Art Show & Fashion Series in downtown Kansas City on the evening of April 1 .
“ This unique event combines art , fashion , and culture to create a one-of-a-kind experience ,” according to an online flier provided by Gopack before the event . Aside from catching good vibes and good food , attendees also listened to music , took part in live customization of Gopack cases , learned how to roll a better blunt , and supported a local Kansas City non-profit organization that is assisting in reversing the damage done to citizens caught in the system of mass incarceration ( Swagg Inc .).
“ We had an amazing group of local artists create one-of-a-kind pieces on the Gopack Rolling Stations , as well as being able to showcase their artwork ,” said Gopack owner and event organizer Mohamed Dia . “ We had vendors such as clothing brands , sponsors in the cannabis industry to raise awareness … food trucks , a bounce house , joint and blunt rolling classes that were in full attendance , and we were able to discuss the stigma relating to cannabis users and mental health .”
Dia — a 25-year-old research / electrical engineer at a Fortune 100 company , in addition to owning Gopack Rolling Station and serving his community through several different outlets — understood the need for an event where multiple cultural mainstays ( fashion , food , etc .) can brush shoulders and network under the grander umbrella of cannabis culture in post-Prohibition Missouri .
“ It was hard trying to figure out an event that was a fusion of art , cannabis , and fashion all at the same time while promoting my business , promoting the artists , and promoting the mission of the event in a way that was different from most cannabis events ,” Dia said .
Despite the challenge , Dia was not only able to accomplish all the goals he had set out to accomplish with the event , but he very well might have accomplished another goal near and dear to The EVOLUTION Magazine and its readers — further tearing down stigmas tied to cannabis users .
Dia , recently selected as the President of the Justice , Equity , Diversity , and Inclusion ( JEDI ) Board at Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City , saw an opportunity to intersect different aspects of his life as part of his role as President of the JEDI Board and to recruit “ more black and brown mentors and stakeholders for the program to serve the youth of Kansas City who desperately need adults who see their potential and can help protect it .”
Mohamed Dia , Gopack owner , surrounded by family ( from left ) Alassane Dia ( father ), Suleyman Dia ( little brother ), Mohamed Dia ( in center ), and Ibrahime Dia ( little brother ). Photo contributed .
44 May 2023
Born in Senegal before immigrating to the United States in 2000 , Dia watched his parents start from scratch and work hard jobs to support his family , ingraining the essence of hard work in him from the time he was a young man . Longstanding connections might have been difficult to form for anyone who lacks an extensive support system and moves schools often ( as Dia did ). Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City helped provide Dia an outlet for the immense potential he showed . After his time as a Little ended , Dia stayed with the organization , working in the donation center and as the sales and marketing intern , forging relationships along the way .