What happens when thousands of Black creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders gather under one roof? You get CultureCon.
Kicking off the festivities on September 28, CultureCon returns to Brooklyn for a week-long celebration of Black and Brown creativity, entrepreneurship, and culture. The festivities culminate October 3–4 with its main festival, bringing together thousands of attendees for workshops, live conversations, networking, brand activations, and more.
But CultureCon’s story began much smaller.
In 2016, founder Imani Ellis started The Creative Collective NYC from her Harlem apartment as a gathering designed to create community and a safe space for creatives. CultureCon officially launched the following year. Since then, the event has grown into a major festival for Black and Brown creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural innovators, drawing thousands of attendees.
Last year’s theme, “Take Space: The New Frontier,” encouraged creatives to boldly claim their place and redefine what was possible. The 2025 festival featured stars including Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Ealy, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
This year, CultureCon is inviting attendees to look inward. Its Culture and Creative Stages will feature conversations and programming, while the Career Lounge, Small Business Market, Activation Alley and Creative Playground offer opportunities to connect, build, and explore.
With the 2026 speaker lineup still under wraps, one question remains: who will step into the “Museum of Us” this year?
For anyone ready to create, connect, or simply find their people, CultureCon is one to pen into the calendar.
