Black Creatives Gather at CultureCon Camp

The professionals’ conference was organized for the fourth time by The Creative Collective NYC asCultureCon 2024, and this time, the focus was on “CultureCon Goes to Camp.” This two-day event, held at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, showcased and appreciated black talent and ingenuity through content creators, artists, business people, and workers across the creative field. Thus the event provided an opportunity for actual communication and exchange of ideas among the participants. We were right on the scene for all the excitement, and now we’re privileged to give you the details.

The Start of CultureCon 2024

On the morning of October 5th, every creative worker of black and brown skin color in  NYC waited for one of the largest creative events of the city  CultureCon 2024. Established by The Creative Collective NYC as a yearly affair, this emersion includes panels, workshops, activations, and networking events. Launched in 2016 by Imani Ellis in her living room, CultureCon was originally supposed to be a place for artistic people to invest in the success of each other. The culture evolved and became more focused on building a collaborative platform with greater interaction among talents.

CultureCon’s Impressive Lineup of Partners

This year’s event, presented by Creative Collective NYC, featured partners such as MAX, Chase Ink, CÎROC, McDonald’s, Verizon, Shea Moisture, Clinique, Netflix, Amazon MGM Studios, and more. These brands played a key role in the activations and panels, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities for attendees.

During the two-day festival, attendees could attend panels hosted by partners like Gucci’s “Manifesting Visions of Tomorrow,” Amazon Prime’s “Main Character Energy,” and IONE Digital’s “Unlocking Creative Storytelling with AI.” Throughout our two-day adventure, we covered the red carpet, participated in the recruitment fair, attended panels, and connected with inspiring creatives.

Day One of CultureCon: Panels and Networking

On day one, NBCUniversal hosted “Reality Check: NBCU TV Stars Shattering Mental Health Stigmas Onscreen,” featuring Olly Sholotan, Travina Springer, and Arlen Escarpeta. This panel explored how people of color tell powerful mental health stories onscreen, breaking down stigmas within the Black and queer communities. It was a space where stories about mental and emotional health could be shared openly.

The Creative Career Job Fair made a return for its second year, featuring companies like Brooklyn Navy Yard, Warner Brothers, Verizon, and Clinique. Attendees could meet recruiters, discuss job opportunities, and even have one-on-one meetings with HBO Max recruiters at the MAX Brew Café. This was a chance for creatives to explore career paths and gain insights into various industries.

The day concluded with a Creative Genius panel featuring Law Roach, who discussed his journey in fashion and the importance of financially supporting friends’ businesses. He emphasized that financial support is more impactful than emotional support for businesses. The evening wrapped up with a Southern-themed after-party at South House, offering a space to unwind and celebrate the day’s success.

Day Two: Fashion, Business Insights, and Star Power

As Sunday, October 6th, began, attendees eased into the day with a 10:00 AM start. The second day had appearances from Anika Noni Rose, Cynthia Erivo, Tyler James Williams, and Yara Shahidi. It also featured the first-ever CultureCon fashion show, which selected 15 polished attendees for its runway. The fashion show added a new element of excitement, showcasing creative styles from the attendees.

One standout panel was “Let’s Talk Ca$h Flow and Funding Your Business,” featuring Lanny Smith, Will Toms, and Candis Grace. They shared insights on managing cash flow and financial strategies. Will Toms asked, “How many of you want to start your own business?” and many hands shot up. He followed up with, “How many of you plan to sell your business one day?”—and most hands dropped. Toms explained that investors often expect you to sell to a larger company, turning unexpected challenges into new opportunities. It was a moment that encouraged attendees to rethink their business goals.

Advice from Industry Leaders

As day two came to an end, we spent the last hour at the CultureCon Creative Genius panel with Tyler James Williams and Yara Shahidi, both offering invaluable insights about the industry. Imani Ellis asked Tyler, “What piece of advice would you give to someone who’s in their waiting season?. His response, “You’re going to miss this time,” received nods from the audience. He emphasized the importance of enjoying the present before the busyness of success takes over. Yara opened up about her new podcast, The Optimist Project, launching with SiriusXM, sharing how it aims to inspire listeners.

CultureCon’s Closing Campfire and Surprise Performance

The festival ended with a “Closing Campfire & Cocktails” event presented by CÎROC, recreating a nostalgic Black cultural gathering. Attendees gathered in the outdoor area of the creator stage, enjoying the atmosphere and connecting over shared experiences. The evening’s highlight was a surprise performance by Tems, CultureCon’s first-ever musical act at the closing campfire. Her music added the perfect vibes to end the weekend on a high note.

The CultureCon 2024 experience was a celebration of Black culture and creativity. Offering a space where creatives could connect, learn, and grow. If you plan on attending next year, make sure your style is on point CultureCon is known for its high fashion and creative energy.

Conclusion

CultureCon 2024 was undoubtedly the best celebration of Black culture and talent. Which hosted creatives, celebrities, influencers, and visionary businessmen for 48 hours. Starting with the variety of panels and workshops, through a live fashion show, and even a couple of unexpected musical performances. There were simply so many ways to learn and, in equal measures, make new connections. People went home with knowledge and contacts; there was fun, laughter, and sightings of a lively society gathering. CultureCon also centrally represents a place where creatives can meet, work together, and talk about their processes, while the fest keeps expanding yearly.

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