The New School of Cool!
This year’s star-studded CultureCon was an aesthetically epic affair that brought together trendsetters, moment makers and dreamchasers for two days of workshops, informative panels, networking experiences, and more for Black creatives, entrepreneurs, and culture-shapers from across the globe.
Founded in 2016 by dynamic visionary Imani Ellis, CultureCon emerged as “the largest creative homecoming” which attracted over 10,000 attendees to this year’s ‘Museum of Us’-themed festivities with buzzy appearances by Olandria, Michael B. Jordan, Aaron Pierre, Mayor Mamdani, and many more, with Mahershala Ali filling the room for his Creative Genius panel on the main CultureCon stage.
The Oscar-winning actor sat down with veteran journalist and influential media executive Datwon Thomas for an engaging conversation centered around artistic freedom, diverse storytelling, and creative before being presented with the well-deserved Creative Icon Award.
Hot on the promo trail for Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother (in theaters everywhere Friday), Ali opened up about the critically acclaimed film, his career trajectory, how music influences his approach to roles, the importance of supporting original stories, and more as one of most intriguing performers in the space.
Check out the trailer below:
Other standout moments included a powerful panel featuring Colin Kaepernick, stunning fashion tributes to Nolan Wells, and a scruffy Michael B. Jordan causing commotion wherever he went before and after dropping gems on the CultureCon main stage.
Have you ever experienced CultureCon? If so, how was your experience? If not, will you be in the building next year? Tell us down below and enjoy our gallery of tastemakers, movemakers, and dreamchasers who stunned at CultureCon 2026.
