A quote often attributed to the poet William Butler Yeats states, “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.” Jessica Bakeman, a 36-year-old Miami resident and former director of entrerprise journalism at WLRN, has made it her personal mission to turn strangers into friends — and perhaps more than that.
While moments of solitude can be peaceful, extended loneliness risks being damaging to mental health. Bakeman knows the struggle firsthand, inspiring her to found We Met in Miami on Valentine’s Day 2024. In just two years, the nonprofit has hosted more than 60 events for over 3,000 locals looking to make new platonic friends or find a love connection.
So far, at least three committed romantic relationships have grown from We Met in Miami, and Bakeman is hopeful some will lead to engagements, marriages and babies — and maybe even a heartwarming Hallmark Channel movie.
To get people out of their shells, each 21-and-over event begins with an icebreaker to spark conversations.
Every get-together is built around a shared activity — from salsa dancing and karaoke to hikes and game nights — giving people a natural way to connect.
“The creativity of it has been such a joy,” Bakeman says. “I’ve never been so creatively on fire in my life.”
One thing that makes We Met in Miami unique is its color-coded wristband system. When checking in, attendees select one or more wristbands to indicate whether they are looking for love or friendship, and whether they’re seeking a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone also wears a numbered name tag. On the back is a “Connection Card,” where attendees can write the numbers of people they’re interested in connecting with. When two people match, Bakeman emails them within 48 hours so they can continue chatting.
Until recently, this was a passion project. Now, Bakeman is focused on expanding its membership and bringing events to Broward County this year, with Palm Beach County next.
“You’re going to be Cupid to a lot of people’s matches,” Bakeman recalls someone telling her. “I think of it more as a community builder.”