NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday evening, in the Gramercy Park neighborhood at The Players, WORDTheatre celebrated their 20th anniversary with short stories and musical performances.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: A guest attends CultureCon NY 2023 on October 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Saturday, October 7, 2023. Duggal Greenhouse, Brooklyn, New York. — Saturday morning rain showers fell hard and heavy in the borough of Brooklyn; but it didn’t stop the main event from happening on Flushing Avenue. The annual cultural mecca for Black and Brown creatives, CultureCon, opened its lines to the likes of designers, brand influencers, culture benders, film talents, small business owners, media press outlets and many more. CultureCon, founded in 2019, is the fastest growing conference and brings together creatives and changemakers of color that aim to elevate their social and professional networks. These bountiful creatives intend to make a mark on the culture and within the communities they serve. In an effort to keep the focus “community centered” the conference sets its sights on celebrating prominent and innovative voices leading the way. It is their hope to inspire attendees to make notable impacts in their respective lanes, creative causes and to become an infectious impact on the world at large, as a BIPOC creative-thought leader.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: A guest attends CultureCon NY 2023 on October 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
This year’s CultureCon presented by Creative Collective included presenting partners: Max, Amex, Shea Moisture, Amazon PRIME, Freevee, Clinique, Google, Ciroc, Bullet Bourbon, Seedlip (Non Alcoholic Spirits), Patreon, Paramount (Content For Change), KickStarter, NBCUniversal,Spotify, Walmart, Tubi, School For Experiential Education in Design, The Startup Collection | Aveeno, Ben & Jerry’s, Coca Cola, LTK, Visible by Verizon, Dotdash Meredith, LCKR, Getty Images, Nielsen, TikTok, #CultureTags, NPR, and The Tillary Hotel- Brooklyn.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: (L-R) Simone Jordan, Laura Stylez and Jacob Lattimore speak on stage during CultureCon NY 2023 on October 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
CultureCon encourages the creative collective body by honoring notable influencers, industry trailblazers, tastemakers and celebrities. The two day event featured panelists that discussed navigating and managing the pressures in the film and entertainment industries; obtaining careers in the growing field of tech and various degrees of corporate spaces. Other major topics offered insights on personal branding; overcoming the socio-economic factors that impede or inspire creativity; investments, crowdfunding for business and managing personal finances with financial gurus such as Financial Educator and New York Times Bestseller, Tiffany “the Budgetnista”; as well as discussions on maintaining self care while launching brands and building empires.
This year the 2023 CultureCon brought on a new facet to their ever growing pilgrimage, now including in its activation booths, a Creative Career Job Fair that allowed the attendees to meet one on one with recruiters from: Amazon Studios, Clinique, Max, NBCUniversal, Google, Walmart, Shea Moisture, and Kickstarter. Career hopefuls had the opportunities to provide or upload their digital resumes within the talent submission pool for further consideration and a chance to land their dream jobs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Issa Rae speaks onstage during How to Find Your People Brand: American Express panel at the CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Day one of the CultureCon event included the prolific and legendary American Actress and Writer, Issa Rae (Insecure, Rap Sh!t, The Photograph, The Lovebirds, Barbie) discussed her organization, ColorCreative, and how it cultivated its initiative, the Find Your People Program (FYPP), to mentor aspiring creatives of color through an intensive creative program.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Issa Rae speaks onstage during How to Find Your People Brand: American Express panel at the CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Emmy-Award winning actor and rapper, Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us, Moonlight, Full Circle) sat down with podcast host and entrepreneur, Bimma Williams to share his creative process in music and his career journey. Sharing insights on “When They See Us” and providing more insight on his new album “I’m a Virgo”, inspired the crowd who remained engaged during his interview with Bima.
Actress and Film Producer, Marsai Martin (Blackish, Little, Fantasy Football), at the blossoming age of 18 years, took to the stage to share her newest venture as the global brand ambassador for Clinique and shared her creative evolution in beauty after partnering with the high-end beauty brand. Marsai spoke on her numerous achievements, multiple NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, her historic role as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood, and founding her company Genius Entertainment.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Teyana Taylor and Eric Jones Jr. speak onstage at CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
This year’s CultureCon honoree, was the illustrious superstar, Teyana Taylor(A Thousand and One, Coming 2 America, The Breaks). The multihyphenate shared the stage in an intimate discussion with Emmy-Award winning journalist, Eric Jones, to discuss her incredible career and was rightfully presented with the CultureCon 2023 award by her mother and children. Teyana dazzled the crowd with her star studded aura. She handed out pearls of wisdom to the attendees; mentioning that her faith in God kept her strong in mind and spirit; and reminding us that the wait for our promise is actually our time of preparation for a great outcome and to learn to give ourselves flowers by being our own glade plugin; further exemplifying why she earned the right to be acclaimed as a cultural icon.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Ziwe speaks onstage at CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
TV host and internet icon, Ziwe closed day one with a hilarious conversation alongside, DeAndre Brown AKA The Corporate Baddie. “Black Friend: Essays,” and her journey from being an intern with big dreams to a certified boss in the midst of her dream career.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Lola Brooke speaks onstage at CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
On day one, I found myself richly inspired by panelist, Rap recording artist, Lola Brooke, who eagerly shared her love of performing on stage. The “Don’t Play With” lyricist lit up as she discussed that she knew in her heart she’d always wanted to perform; she said that before bed at night, she recalls falling asleep with music in her ears and dreaming that she was on stage. She expressed staying grounded and knowing that every decision that she’d made “fell on me” and that remaining centered was above all else, priority for her.
Day one of CultureCon lunch consisted of jollof rice ( a tomato and rice-based dish that is widely eaten across West and Central Africa) sweet plantains, gold coast slaw, grilled peri-peri chicken with a Bissap Hibiscus juice from African Chop House, and yes it was delicious. Other featured restaurants included the Crabby Shack, Ras Plant Based, OxKale, Cafe Rue Dix, File Gumbo Bar, Aunt Et uncles, Charles Pan Fried Chicken, the James Beard nominated chef and Harlem icon’s soul food for the soul pick, and Chef Kwame’s Patty Palace.
By the close of Day one’s festivities, my black mesh CultureCon tote was full to the brim with goodies. I collected my goodies from Clinique whose volumizing mascara and skin moisturizer has instantly become a new favorite in my makeup arsenal; magazine giveaways (and cookies) from the largest publisher in North America, Dotdash Meredith; free beverages from CocaCola and SmartWater; and an adorable “Black Men We Love You” men’s care kit from Shea Moisture.
Let me know, did you get your Culture on this weekend or are you planning to attend the Fourth Annual Culture Con? Let me know your thoughts and stay tuned for Day 2 of Culture Con!
The sweetest collaboration of darling accessories and lush silhouettes makes its way to LES!
NEW YORK, NY – From September 22 to October 1, the multidisciplinary design studio and showroom café Hudson Wilder in DUMBO, Brooklyn, will act as a sanctuary not only for contemporary home goods, but also for the curated art and design exhibit “Playing House”.
NYFW The Talks Presents Black Excellence in Fashion: Championing Representation and Entrepreneurship
On Sept. 10 Token Black Girl author, Danielle Prescod, sat with fashion giants and panelists: Costume Designer, Shiona Turini, Stylist & Travel Editior, Alexander Julian and UPS EVP & Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer, Kevin Warren.
The talk, Black Excellence in Fashion: Championing Representation and Entrepreneurship, gave audience members a closer look at the journeys of these entrepreneurs; who started down an uncertain path and rose to prestige by their own merit and despite obstacles.
While Turini spoke about feeling physically isolated in her home, Bermuda, and her experience as an immigrant; Julian explained the magnitude of networking and building communities after getting too comfortable in his individuality and relying on work ethic alone. Offering a different perspective, Warren highlighted the importance of contributing to the arts and supporting artists of color; the way UPS became an official NYFW sponsor and presented three HBCU alums with $150,000 to execute NYFW runway event, Big Motion: Featuring HBCU Alumni Designers: Undra Celeste New York, The Brand Label, and Chelsea Gray. 
Although the talk served to motivate and inspire, the panelist didn’t shy away from speaking on the issues. “I have been in many spaces, or worked in many publications, where there were black employees and we really still have no voice. We really still have no power,” Turini recalled. “We would fight and watch people be inspired by our culture and inspired by the things we were partaking in but we were not getting appreciated the same.”
As for navigating up the ladder in such circumstances, Warren put it plainly. “Sometimes it’s about overcoming adversity,” the designer and creative entrepreneur explained later in the talk. “Understanding the rules of the role, understanding that performance is really, unfortunately, black life in corporate America.”
Relating to the others, Julian concluded by pointing out something the panel made crystal clear. “Black people care so much about fashion,” he asserted. “This is generational, this is in our blood, this is in our DNA and we are shut out so much from the industry just because we don’t know somebody, just because we haven’t had that open door and that always pains me.”
On August 24, Citi Taste of Tennis returned to New York City’s Gotham Hall. Food Network’s Chopped Champion, Founder and Executive Chef Bao Bao, and Former Tennis Player Prakash Amritraj hosted the event. Pro tennis players and chefs served it up city-style.
Tennis players Venus Williams, John McEnroe, Belinda Bencic, Sascha Zverev, and Ons Jabeur made appearances. Alycia Parks, Liudmila Samsonova, Desirae Krawczyk, Sachia Vickery, JJ Wolf, and Holger Rune sampled fantastic dishes.
Fig and Olive’s Chef Alain Allegretti served watermelon and shrimp carpaccio, cauliflower, and couscous tabbouleh. Barbados Tourism’s Chef Damian Leach served salt fish and shrimp fregola. Hunt and Fish Club’s Chef Chad Brown served gnocchi bolognese.
Segafredo Zanetti Coffee crafted delectable expresso cocktails. Zonin USA provided bubbles, while VOSS created “voss-tails.” Gin Mare and Chambord made innovative cocktails. Guests indulged in the fabulous Gotham Hall.
The elegant ballroom has an intricate stained-glass skylight and seventy-foot ceilings. Attendees chatted with tennis stars and enjoyed endless food from top chefs. They danced to DJ Ravi Drums’ percussion remixes.
Venus Williams
On social media, guests tagged @TasteofTennis and #CitiTasteofTennis.
Check out our red-carpet interviews!
Camila Giorgi
Ons Jabeur
More exciting interviews!
Liudmila Samsonova
Featured Chefs
Chef Bao Bao (Baoburg), Chef John Mooney (Bell Book and Candle), Chef Jassi Bindra (Amrina The Woodlands), Chef Sujan Sarkar (Baar Baar), Chef Fany Gerson (Fan Fan Doughnuts), Chef Admir Alibasic (One Rare Italian Steakhouse), Chef Kerry Heffernan (Grand Banks), Chef Jack Logue (The Lambs Club), Chef Chad Brown (Hunt & Fish Club), Chef Doc (Doc’s Cake Shop), Chef Alain Allegretti (Fig & Olive), Chef Shorne Benjamin (St. Lucia Tourism), Chef Ruffo Ibarra (ORYX Restaurante), Chefs Scheyla Acosta and Ann Cashion (Cashion’s Rendezvous), Chef Ryan Hackney (Chaos), Chef MAC & Chef Pinke (Flavorture), Chef Paramjeet Singh Bombra (Gulaabo Timeless Indian), Chef Nick Wang (Amami Bar & Restaurant), Chef Mike Viola (Boar’s Head Premium Deli Products), and Chef Joey Campanaro (The Little Owl).
Full Menu
Baoburg (Cooking Demo)
Chef Susan Askornann (Chef Bao Bao):
Pad Thai
The Lambs Club
Chef Jack Logue:
Grilled Cucumber Salad: Yogurt, Oregano; Allergens: dairy
Cured Yellow Tail, Almonds, Prosciutto, Basil; Allergens: fish, nuts, meat
Amrina Woodlands
Chef Jassi Bindra:
Short Rib Nihari Dumpling; Allergens: gluten, dairy
Kadai Vegetable Dumpling (Vegetarian); Allergens: gluten, dairy
One Rare Italian Steakhouse
Chef Admir Alibasic:
Steak & Cake
Mini Crab Cake
Beef Tenderloin
Corn Salsa
Allergens: shellfish & gluten
Chef Shorne Benjamin:
Oxtail Grilled Cheese (Allergens: dairy, wheat)
Sweet Plantains with Champagne Vinaigrette (Vegan)
ORYX Restaurante
Chef Ruffo Ibarra:
Bluefin Tuna: Organic Soy-Cured Egg Yolk, Peanut,Mustard Sprouts, Serrano Chili, Lemon Zest, Chives, Black Garlic Aioli, Local Seaweed Crackling
Smoked Watermelon: Feta Cheese, Fingerlime, Mustard Greens (Vegetarian)
Little Owl
Chef Joey Campanaro:
Corn Maque Choux (Gluten Free)
Sangria Steak, Caesar Salad Slaw, Garlic Crunchies
Hunt & Fish Club
Chef Chad Brown:
Gnocchi Bolognese: Beef, Pork, Veal, Basil; Allergens: gluten, dairy, eggs, onion, garlic
Gnocchi Mushroom: Black Truffle, Butter, Basil; Allergens: mushrooms, gluten, dairy, eggs, onion, garlic
Cashion’s Rendezvous
Chef Scheyla Acosta:
Steak Tartare; Allergens: dairy, eggs
Taramasalata with Salmon Pastrami; Allergens: seafood
BBQ Shrimp with Grits; Allergens: shellfish
Chicken Liver Duck Parfait
Barbados
Chef Damian Leach:
Salt Fish & Shrimp Fregola: Sardinian Couscous Cooked Down in a Ginger Seafood Bisque topped with Salt Fish & Shrimp, Pickled Cucumber
Bajan Charred Mushroom Taco: Bajan Marinated Mushrooms on a soft-shell taco with Pickled Onions, Pepper Sauce/Avocado Puree, Tomato Salsa
Mixologist Dameain Williams:
Straight Serve Cucumber Cooler
Peachy Perfect Sangria
Chaos
Chef Ryan Hackney:
“Thai Breaker”: Smashed Cucumber Salad, Marinated Shallots, Makrut Lime, Thai Fish Sauce, Cilantro; Allergens: allium, shellfish, soy, gluten, (Also available gluten-free and vegan)
“Straight Down the Line”: Sashimi Style Hamachi Crudo, Lime, Ginger, Thai Chili, Yuzu Aioli, Crispy Shallots; Allergens: allium, seafood, soy, gluten
Boar’s Head
Chef Mike Viola:
Summer Melon Gazpacho Shooter: Chorizo Crisp (Boar’s Head® Superiore Uncured Chorizo Spanish Style Sausage), and Pecorino Romano-Black Pepper Frico (Vegetarian); Allergens: dairy
Boar’s Head® FireSmithTM Flame Grilled Chicken Breast & Dill Pickle Salad on Mini Brioche with Micro Greens, Kettle Chip Crumbles; Allergens: wheat, egg, dairy
Fig & Olive
Chef Alain Allegretti:
Watermelon & Shrimp Carpaccio Feta Cheese
Applewood Bacon & Spicy Cashew; Allergens: dairy, nuts
Cauliflower & Couscous Tabbouleh Little Gem Cup: Crunchy Seasonal Vegetables, Avocado, Toasted Pine Nuts & Dates, Fresh Mint, Honey Mustard-Lemon Dressing Gremolata; Allergens: nuts
Pure Grenada
Chef Belinda Bishop:
Creole- Style Fish: Pan-seared Fish Seasoned with Fresh Spices, Sautéed with Sweet Peppers, Onions, Garlic, and Ginger in a Spiced Tomato Broth
Cou-Cou: Cornmeal Seasoned with Farm-Fresh Herbs and Vegetables, with Freshly Made Coconut Milk Mixed into a Thick, Creamy Consistency (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Stewed Callaloo: Dasheen Leaf Chopped and Simmered Down in Herbs, Garlic, Sweet Pimento Peppers and Fresh Coconut Milk (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Flavorture
Chef Pine & Mac:
Jerk Jackfruit Tacos (Vegan); Allergens: onions
Braised Beef Sliders; Allergens: onions
Grand Banks
Chef Kerry Heffernan:
Oysters Champagne
Tartare of Cucumber, Shiso, and Roasted Shishito Mignonette; Allergens: shellfish
Cucumber Tartare
Gulaabo
Chef Paramjeet Singh Bombra:
Lamb Samosa; Allergens: dairy, gluten
Vegetarian Samosa; Allergens: gluten, nuts
Amami Bar & Restaurant
Chef Nick Wang:
Tuna Crostini with Tuna Tataki | Edamame Puree, Avocado, Mango Salsa
Allergens: gluten, sesame, allium
Bell Book & Candle
Chef John Mooney:
Rooftop Watermelon Gazpacho with Poached Shrimp; Allergens: Shellfish
Baar Baar
Chef Sujan Sarkar:
Tuna Bhel Tostada: Avocado, Radish, Onion, Cilantro; Allergen: Fish
Avocado Green Chickpea Bhel (Vegan)
Doc’s Cake Shop
Chef Doc:
Southern Style Cupcakes; Allergen: eggs
Blissful Banana Pudding; Allergen: milk
Fan Fan Doughnuts
Chef Jany Ferson:
Doughnuts
Segafredo Zanetti:
Espresso Martini: Segafredo Espresso, Absolut Vodka, Kahlua, topped with VOSS Sparkling Water
Sparkling Americano: VOSS sparkling water, Segafredo espresso, fresh orange slice
Chamboard:
Chamboard Royale: Chamboard & Zonin Prosecco, Black Raspberry Garnish
Courtside Crusher: Chamboard, Vodka, Lemonade, and Blackberry Garnish
Gin Mare
Gin Mare & Tonic: Gin Mare & Tonic Water
Mare Mule: Gin Mare, Lemon Juice, Honey Syrup, and Seventeen Ginger Beer
Zonin
Zonin Prosecco D.O.C.
Zonin Coastal Lemon Spritz
Sponsors
Citi (Title Sponsor), Zonin USA, Barbados Tourism, Boar’s Head Premium Deli Products, Gin Mare, VOSS, Chambord, Pure Grenada Tourism Authority, Chef Works, Lucky in Love, Sagafredo Zanetti Coffee, Volkl, and Saint Lucia Tourism.
Krewe celebrated their 10th anniversary with a pop-up event and a new collection of eyeglasses
Love and freedom can be found in the most unlikely of affairs.
Rock and roll is known to be many things: inspiring, provocative, and above all else entertaining.
Making history is nothing new for Thai rapper, MILLI. This young and vibrant, but seasoned performer has graced many stages from the Head In The Clouds Los Angeles Music Festival to the Coachella stage. Now, it might seem that she wouldn’t get “wowed” often given her extensive experience, but that was not the case recently in New York.