Forge

09/01/2026

Congratulations to former Forge Young Talent Executive Director, Rhett Flood on being named President of Downtown Topeka, Inc.!

As Forge’s longest-serving director, Rhett helped lead and grow several initiatives, events, and opportunities that strengthened Forge and created more ways for young professionals to connect, get involved, and build their place in the Topeka community.

We’re excited to see him continue investing in Topeka through this new leadership role and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make downtown.

Congratulations, Rhett! 👏🏙️

Downtown Topeka, Inc. is pleased to announce the selection of Rhett Flood as its next President.

Rhett brings extensive experience in economic development, community engagement, marketing, workforce development and organizational leadership, along with a strong understanding of the partnerships that continue to move Downtown Topeka forward.

As he prepares to step into the role later this fall, we look forward to the leadership and perspective he will bring to Downtown Topeka’s continued growth and development.

Please join us in welcoming Rhett to this new role.

08/31/2026

🍻🦁 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Win 2 Tickets to Brew at the Zoo! 🦁🍻

Want to spend a night at the Zoo with cold drinks, great food, and a whole lot of ’80s fun? 🎸 We’ve got your tickets!

On September 12, Brew at the Zoo at Topeka Zoo will be full of big hair, food, beer, games, and after-hours Zoo fun!

We’re giving ONE lucky winner two tickets to Brew at the Zoo, and entering is easy:

👇 Comment below and tell us who you would bring with you if you win and share this post!

Tag your best friend, partner, favorite coworker, fellow ’80s music fan, or whoever you know would be ready to rock!

📬 BONUS ENTRY: You can also enter through the FORGE e-news going out tomorrow!

Not getting our e-news? Let us know! We’ll make sure we have your updated email so you don’t miss future FORGE events, opportunities, giveaways, and more.

⏰ Contest ends Monday, September 7 at 11:59 PM.

🎟️ Winner will be announced Tuesday, September 8.

Now grab your hairspray, tease that hair, and get ready to rock around the Zoo! 🎸🦁🍻

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

We are grateful to have Envista Federal Credit Union as one of our benefactors, thank you for your support!

08/26/2026

FORGE is showing up BIG in Topeka's Top "20 Under 40"!

We’re thrilled to celebrate three members of the FORGE Leadership Team, Caleb, Sasha, and Natasha who were recognized as part of this year's 20 Under 40! Talk about representing! 👏

This is a prestigious honor recognizing young leaders who have made a meaningful impact through their leadership, service, and dedication to our community.

We’re incredibly proud of these three, who have each worked hard to help shape Topeka as a place to live, work, play, connect, and lead.

Their leadership, passion, and investment in our community are exactly what FORGE is all about.

👏 Congratulations to Caleb, Sasha, Natasha, and all of this year’s 20 Under 40 honorees! We’re proud to have you representing FORGE!

Interested in joining our Leadership Team for 2027?

We’re looking for passionate young professionals who want to get involved, build connections, and help shape the future of Topeka.

To be considered for FORGE’s 2027 Leadership Team, you must complete the Leadership Team Interest Form by August 31.

👉 https://www.gotopeka.com/forge-leadership-team-interestform/

Your voice. Your ideas. Your Topeka. Let’s FORGE the future.

08/24/2026

Congratulations to our Chair-Elect, Sasha Klaurens! So impressive and so proud of you!!

🎉 20 Under 40 Spotlight: Sasha Klaurens

Meet Sasha Klaurens, one of Topeka’s 20 Under 40 honorees!

Sasha is an owner of Beacon Events, where she helps manage three historic event venues and The Oasis mobile bartending service. From creating memorable celebrations to developing a team passionate about hospitality, Sasha is helping establish Topeka as a destination where people want to gather, celebrate and return.

🎉 Creating reasons to celebrate Topeka:
Sasha believes there’s no reason people should have to leave Topeka to find an incredible event experience. As Beacon Events has grown, so has its ability to give back. In 2025, the business provided more than $44,000 in support through local donations and nonprofit fundraising efforts, helping community organizations reduce event costs and put more of the money they raise directly toward their missions.

❤️ Creating reasons to stay:
As chair-elect of ForgeYoung Talent, Sasha helps young professionals build meaningful relationships with each other and with the Topeka community. She has helped organize more than 30 community events and is leading a volunteer initiative connecting young professionals with local nonprofits. Her philosophy is simple: retention starts with belonging.

🌟 What leadership means to Sasha:
Sasha believes leadership starts with authenticity. She describes herself as a “yes” person who enjoys helping others, building relationships and making people feel comfortable and welcome. Her own decision to leave teaching and pursue a new path taught her that leadership sometimes means having the courage to choose growth over comfort—and then helping others find that same confidence.

Sasha didn’t grow up in Topeka—she chose it. Now she’s helping build the kind of community where others choose to celebrate here, build relationships here, volunteer here and, ultimately, call Topeka home.

👏 Congratulations, Sasha, on being recognized as one of Topeka’s 20 Under 40!

08/21/2026

Adulting is expensive. Let’s talk about it. 😂💸

Finance After Five is bringing money talk to The Celtic Fox for an evening of drinks, questions and financial tips you can actually use. It’s FREE! And your future self might thank you.

⚠️ Spots are limited! You must register online, and everyone who registers gets a FREE FORGE notebook! 📓Save your spot before they’re gone.

🔗 https://events.topekapartnership.com/en/5Y1d0nc7/forge-finance-after-five-5a18VvssvYT/overview

08/21/2026

Finance After Five is bringing money talk to The Celtic Fox for an evening of drinks, questions and financial tips you can actually use. It’s FREE! And your future self might thank you.

Register Here: https://events.topekapartnership.com/en/5Y1d0nc7/forge-finance-after-five-5a18VvssvYT/overview

Finance After Five with Forge Young Talent runs 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 at Celtic Fox, 118 SW 8th St. The event is free. ⬇️

08/20/2026

🚨 Caleb Soliday's back on the red couch! He stopped by WIBW to talk about what’s coming up for Forge Young Talent, including Finance After Five at The Celtic Fox!

Check out Caleb’s interview and register for this awesome event next week! https://www.gotopeka.com/go-events/

https://www.wibw.com/2026/08/18/forge-fosters-financial-knowledge-with-next-free-event/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTz3hNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWpaTjU5WEdDOHBHZGJPWkJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeEW6oP_9Vl9w73Q6YkDVAz6TBt4XmgSBx2_nIjDKgZzZy9KUtqf7ECNpXrWM_aem_WGBKxTlnjjXFMdoBaV1Bfw

08/18/2026

Turns out, Forge members make pretty great chocolatiers. 🍫 Thanks to Hazel Hill Chocolates for giving us a behind-the-scenes look and helping us create some delicious chocolate bark!