CultureCon gears up for its 8th year with ‘Take Space’ theme in Brooklyn
CultureCon takes place in New York City every year in early Fall. What began as an idea in an NYC apartment in 2017 has morphed into the largest creative festival for creative entrepreneurs, creators and cultural influencers. The founder, Imani Ellis, got her start in entertainment at NBCUniversal, stating in an interview with Galore Magazine that working there was lifechanging. She eventually climbed the ranks from assistant to Vice President. “At each new level, I challenged myself to learn new skills, meet new people and never allowed myself to believe there was nothing left to learn,” Ellis recalls.
I attended my first CultureCon in 2024 and immediately felt in awe of the thousands of beautiful Black and brown creatives that surrounded me. The venue was wide open, with few closed-off areas, allowing for maximum in-person engagement with people you’ve only seen online. Creatives come from all walks of life to attend the two-day Brooklyn-based conference complete with freebies, brand activations and engaging panels.
CultureCon is all about networking and celebrating Black culture and Black people. This year’s theme, Take Space, invites creatives to own their voice, their vision, and their presence. Whether through fashion, panels, or the connections made in Brooklyn, CultureCon continues to be a reminder that community and creativity thrive when we take up space together.
When I caught up with Kami from Brooklyn, he said what excites him most about CultureCon is connecting with other creatives. ‘As long as we’re working together and teaching each other what we don’t know, we’ll all grow. Each one, teach one.’
For NYC-based fashion duo Ashlee and Alicia, the conference has been just as transformative. After meeting at CultureCon a year ago, they credit the event for their growing friendship. “CultureCon is literally designed to spark positive relationships and help you find like-minded people. Community is everything, and I really appreciate spaces like this,” says Ashlee.
Beyond building community, CultureCon is also a runway in its own right where creativity shines through every outfit.
Dressing fly is a requirement. CultureCon weekend is the place to be if you ever wanted to dress out of the norm and not have eyes staring at you in the weirdest way. The 2024 theme was Camp, which invited people to explore creativity, self-expression and the joy of embracing the unconventional. I spoke to several attendees about the inspiration behind their look.
Photo: Instagram/@AlBowmanofficial
“For me, it’s really big on just expressing myself, being comfortable in my own skin… being open and being loud and being proud of this, being who I am and unapologetically yourself,” says Al Bowman, who donned a beard full of flowers.
When I asked TIER fashion designer and co-founder Nigeria Ealy about his outfit, he replied: “I think I’m the best dressed here, honestly. And I made everything I got on.” Ealy co-founded the Black-owned brand in 2014 alongside business partners Esaie Jean Simon and Victor James.
Now in its eighth year, CultureCon returns to Brooklyn on October 4-5, 2025, promising another unforgettable weekend of creativity, fashion and impact. From thought-provoking panels to alluring brand activations and endless networking opportunities, it’s the creative homecoming you don’t want to miss. Tickets are available now on the official website.
