A Black social networking group is gearing up for its free annual summer celebration, The Sunset Social, on July 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Hosted by Lite-Work Events, the party is a laidback, after-work experience for the young professionals and community members at Tenean Beach Park in Dorchester.

The event will feature a live DJ, BBQ-inspired bites and drinks, tabletop games (spades, dominoes, cards, etc.) and open basketball and tennis courts, along with free parking. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic setup, chairs and games. No alcohol is allowed at this event.

The Sunset Social is offered in partnership with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which run the Better Beaches Grant Program. The two organizations give “small grants to local organizations and artists to activate the region’s public beaches through free events and programs on DCR beaches in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.”

They aim to pass decision-making power to community members over community spaces by giving state funds to organizations like LiteWork Events to create free events and programs on public beaches. This affords access to community members who do not frequent the beaches often or “who may face barriers to enjoy these shared waterfront spaces.”

For this year’s beach season, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the DCR awarded over $300,000 in small grants ranging from $2,500 to $8,500 per grantee.

Founder and CEO of Litework Events Farrah A. Belizaire spoke with the Banner about this upcoming event.

“I picked Tenean Beach in Dorchester [which is] within the community, but also a little bit of a hidden gem. So, [it’s] an opportunity to amplify and provide more exposure to a community resource that not everyone knows,” she said.

Belizaire also talked about the importance of people of color having access to these waterfront spaces.

“These spaces — they’re free, theyre open to the public, they are part of what makes New England and the Boston area special. … It’s important that people of color are knowledgeable of all the ways that we can really take full advantage and experience all observed resources, so that’s one of the motivating factors with doing this event,” she said.

Belizaire shared what she hopes community members will feel once they arrive and experience the Sunset Social.

“My hope is that people will feel a sense of connection, a sense of community, also a sense of peace,” she said. “There’s a lot going on in the world right now: economically, politically, otherwise. So, it’s an opportunity to get outside in a laid-back sort of environment with folks that are equally committed to connecting and building relationships.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more at liteworkevents.com/calendar