“ART
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Festival 2027: A Return To The Familiar. Experiencing The New. Imagining The Next.
Last year, I wrote about memory, returning to source, and stepping into leadership at a moment when Black culture was being challenged, narrowed, and rewritten in policy and public discourse. While I was not waxing poetic with that reflection, I did not yet recognize how much it would become preparation.
Today, I write with clarity and conviction. In July 2027, the National Black Arts Festival will once again gather artists, audiences, thinkers, and communities from across Atlanta and beyond as we return our iconic citywide summer festival.
For more than two decades, NBAF’s summer festival served as a cultural anchor for Atlanta and a national convening for Black artistic excellence. It brought together generations of artists, scholars, families, institutions, and communities to celebrate, interrogate, and elevate Black expression across disciplines. Music, dance, theatre, film, visual art, folk art and literature existed in conversation with one another, creating a space where Black creativity could be experienced in its full breadth and complexity.
When the festival paused in 2014, the spirit did not. It lived on through our youth programs, artist investments, public art partnerships, exhibitions, conversations, special events, and community collaborations. It lived on through the artists we supported, the young people we nurtured, and the audiences who continued to believe that this institution still had important work to do. Most importantly, it lived on through a shared understanding that Black art remains essential to how we understand ourselves, our communities, and our future.
In summer 2027, audiences can expect the familiar, the new, and the next.
The familiar: the multidisciplinary programming, the citywide energy, the gathering of artists and audiences from across generations.
The new: deeper investments in artists, expanded opportunities for youth, bold conversations, and innovative approaches to engaging culture in the 21st century.
The next: a future-facing vision that positions NBAF not only as a presenter of artistic excellence, but as a convener of ideas, a builder of cultural infrastructure, and a catalyst for imagination.
The return of the summer festival is not accidental. It is the result of disciplined planning, committed board leadership, community investment, and the collective belief that Black art remains foundational to American culture. Everything NBAF has done since the festival’s absence has helped lay the groundwork for this moment.
The festival will once again anchor our year-round work, but it will not stand alone. It will exist within a broader ecosystem of education, artist support, civic dialogue, public engagement, and institutional partnership.
One hundred twenty-three years after The Souls of Black Folk asked the nation to reckon with the interior lives of Black people, we find ourselves at another inflection point. The arts are being questioned. Education is under strain. Cultural narratives are contested. In moments like these, gathering is not optional. It is survival. It is preservation. It is reclamation.
We look forward to welcoming you next July with the familiar, the new, and the next.
Onward,
Leatrice Ellzy President & CEO National Black Arts Festival
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
The National Black Arts Festival: A Context for Gathering
Founded in 1987 as an initiative of Fulton County under the leadership of Dr. Michael Lomax, the National Black Arts Festival was established to create a multidisciplinary experience dedicated to the art and artists of African descent. From its inception, the festival was designed not as a single-venue event, but as a citywide cultural ecosystem.
The original framework was ambitious, expansive and quite frankly, revolutionary at the time. Over the course of approximately ten days, NBAF activated theaters, museums, concert halls, galleries, universities, public parks, and neighborhood spaces across Atlanta. Music, dance, theater, film, visual art, folk and literary arts were presented in conversation with one another, reflecting the breadth of the African Diaspora and the depth of Black creative excellence.
At its height, the festival brought together internationally renowned artists alongside emerging voices, creating a rare intergenerational and crossdisciplinary exchange. It served as a stage AND a symposium, pairing performances and exhibitions
with lectures, panels, master classes, and community dialogue. The design was intentional: celebration and interrogation, spectacle and scholarship, joy and rigor.
Central to the festival model was partnership. NBAF collaborated with major cultural institutions, universities, community organizations, civic partners and businesses. This distributed structure allowed the festival to embed itself within the cultural fabric of the city rather than exist as an isolated event. Atlanta did not simply host NBAF; it became NBAF for those ten days.
Accessibility was prioritized. Free public events, outdoor performances, youth engagement initiatives, and neighborhood activations ensured that the work reached beyond traditional arts audiences. NBAF’s model illustrated that Black art was not only cultural inheritance but a civic force.
Over time, the festival evolved in scale and structure, responding to shifts in funding landscapes. The multiday festival paused and the organization transitioned into year-round programming that continued to invest in artists, youth education, and local collaboration.
NBAF is currently preparing to return to a citywide summer festival in 2027. The return builds upon the legacy while responding to the present moment. The next iteration will once again gather artists, thinkers, institutions, and audiences from across Atlanta, the region and the country— anchoring work in a concentrated period of shared cultural energy.
Bill Duke with Gordon Parks
The Black Cinematheq 1988
Expert Training - Ballethnic Academy of Dance
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Professional Opportunities - Ballethnic Dance Company
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Ballethnic Way - A Cultural Gathering Place
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Global Performance Outreach
Invite Ballethnic to your venue! Our dancers tour globally, offering powerful, performances that reflect cultural pride and technical mastery.
Move/Dance Helps
Young People Thrive
MOVE/DANCE YOUTH PROGRAM
For more than a decade, the National Black Arts Festival’s Move/Dance program has introduced Atlanta Public Schools students to the transformative power of movement. What began as an arts education initiative has evolved into something much larger—a program that uses dance as a pathway to creativity, confidence, wellness, and self-expression.
At a time when young people face increasing social, emotional, and physical challenges, programs like Move/Dance provide something essential: a space to move, create, connect, and be seen.
Through partnerships with Atlanta Public Schools, professional teaching artists bring dance directly into classrooms, exposing students to a range of movement traditions while helping them develop discipline, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills. The impact extends well beyond choreography. Students learn to trust themselves, work together, communicate ideas, and build confidence that carries into other areas of their lives.
The program also responds to an urgent public health need. Physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension continue to disproportionately impact Black communities. By encouraging movement at an early age, Move/Dance introduces students to healthy habits that can contribute to lifelong wellness. Dance becomes both an artistic practice and a tool for personal well-being.
Throughout the year, students work with accomplished teaching artists who challenge them to think creatively, take risks, and discover new ways of expressing themselves. For many participants, Move/ Dance provides their first meaningful exposure to the arts. For others, it sparks a lifelong passion.
As NBAF looks toward the future, Move/Dance remains an important part of our commitment to serving young people through arts education. We believe every child deserves access to experiences that nurture their imagination, strengthen their voice, and help them realize their full potential. Because the goal has never been simply to teach dance. The goal is to help young people move confidently through the world.
YOUTH PROGRAMS: NEXTGEN ARTISTS
NextGen Artist: Creating the Next Generation of Creative Leaders
The NextGen Artist Program continues to provide young creatives across Atlanta with opportunities to explore artistic expression, strengthen technical skills, and build confidence through hands-on learning experiences. Through our partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, students engage with professional artists and industry leaders across disciplines including music, fashion, visual art, film, photography, and performance.
This year, students participated in immersive residencies and creative opportunities designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world experiences. Through our Soundwave Music Residency in partnership with REC ATL, students explored songwriting, music production, and collaboration while creating original work. Students in our Sustainable Fashion
Residency, in partnership with Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week, explored sustainability, textile design, and fashion innovation, culminating in studentcreated looks and runway experiences.
Beyond the classroom, students expanded their learning through exhibitions, performances, and industry experiences. More than 300 students participated in Student Day at the Morehouse Human Rights Film Festival, where they engaged with storytelling and discussions centered on human rights and social impact.
YOUTH PROGRAMS: NEXTGEN ARTISTS
@kimevansphotos
Students also participated in the NextGen Visionary Competition, which provides a platform for young artists to showcase original work inspired by an annual theme. This year’s theme, Dreams of Today, Realities of the Future, encouraged students to imagine a brighter tomorrow and use creativity as a tool for change. Student works were presented to professional jurists and later exhibited during Fine Arts + Fashion.
This year also marked meaningful milestones for students in our programs. Three harp students who have participated with NBAF since their freshman
year are continuing their artistic journeys on full scholarships, with two attending Vanderbilt University and one attending Manhattan School of Music. A student from our fashion residency will attend Vogue Summer School this summer, and another student who has grown with the program since her freshman year is continuing her studies in fashion at Georgia State University. As we continue investing in Atlanta’s young artists, NextGen remains committed to creating spaces where creativity, leadership, and possibility can thrive.
19th Annual NBAF Fine Art + Fashion – Neiman Marcus photos by @kimevansphotos
NBAF Fashion Forward Mentorship 2026
FASHION FORWARD COMPETITION
The NBAF Fashion Forward Student Design Competition & Mentorship was created to identify, support, and elevate the next generation of fashion talent. More than a competition, the program provides emerging designers with access to professional mentorship, industry insight, skill-building workshops, and opportunities to showcase their creativity beyond the
Fashion Forward Winner and Finalist with judge and stylist awardee
Carrington
multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta, Carrington’s creative practice extends beyond fashion design and garment construction to include painting, drawing, and photography. Inspired by the natural world, his work explores themes of connection, love, spirituality, and Black identity through rich botanical and cosmic imagery. Whether designing garments, creating visual art, or capturing images through photography, Carrington seeks to illuminate the soul’s journey and honor the stories, histories, and possibilities that shape our collective experience.
His work reflects a remarkable artistic maturity and a commitment to using fashion as a vehicle for storytelling, imagination, and cultural expression. NBAF is honored to recognize Carrington’s vision, talent, and dedication to his craft through this mentorship opportunity and looks forward to supporting his continued growth as an artist and designer.
The future of fashion is being shaped by emerging creatives like Carrington and his fellow finalists. Through Fashion Forward, NBAF remains committed to investing in the next generation of designers whose work will influence not only what we wear, but how we see ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.
Photo by @kimevansphotos
ARTIST PROJECT FUND
Launched in 2020 as a COVID-relief initiative, the NBAF Artist Project Fund (APF) now serves as a cornerstone of NBAF’s year-round support for working artists. Each year, the program provides 20 professional artists with a $2,000 cash award to advance an ongoing artistic project.
APF offers immersive career development experiences, peer collaboration opportunities, and a supportive community that nurtures both artistic growth and creative entrepreneurship. By investing directly in artists, the program strengthens the cultural ecosystem and affirms NBAF’s commitment to sustaining Black creativity across disciplines. Congratulations to the 2026 Cohort!
2026 Artist Project Fund Cohort
Donnie Outlaw
Ina Kwayana
Zuri Stanbeck
Kiera “Ashlee Haze” Nelson
Marryam Moma
Demitri Burke
Jared Major
Jason Orr
Nkolo Masela Jen Farris
Victoria Renee
Kristen Louder
Jen Farris, location scout
Demetri by William Twitty
THRIVING TOGETHER
Thriving Together Atlanta An Initiative of Art, Health, and Equity
Thriving Together Atlanta is a public art project dedicated to addressing inequality in healthcare through free events and activities. A collaboration between the City of Atlanta—Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the National Black Arts Festival, and Out of Hand Theater. The project serves as a model of how cross-sector partnerships can address the multifaceted issues affecting communities. The groundbreaking project was awarded a $1 million grant through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge which brings together cities and their leaders, residents, and artists to develop temporary public art projects that address important civic issues in their communities.
Over the course of the project NABF has presented the Thriving Together Atlanta Community Arts and Wellness Festival and produced two mural projects. Artist C. Flux Sing’s mural Old 4th, Forward to Victory uplifts the legacy and perseverance of Old Fourth Ward while Chloe Alexander’s The Light We Carry celebrates resilience and collective care in the West End. The project closed with a mobile art experience,
which launched in January 2026 and ran through March. The Mobile Art Experience was produced in partnership with NEXT Atlanta and MARTA.
Additional funding was generously contributed by Cousins Foundations, Gucci Changemakers, and South Arts with support from the NEA. Support from the Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition powered by AHF. Community partners include the Atlanta Beltline, Darwin Hotel, MARTA, NEXT Atlanta, Hammonds House Museum and Historic Mount Sinai Baptist Church.
Thriving Together, NEXT Civil Rights Activation
COLLECTORS GUIDE
NBAF Collector’s
Guild Collect with purpose. Preserve legacy. Invest in culture.
For nearly a decade, the National Black Arts Festival’s Collector’s Guild served as a meaningful intersection of philanthropy, cultural stewardship, and fine art collecting. Through the Guild, supporters not only invested in the future of NBAF, they became caretakers of extraordinary works created by some of the most important artists of the African Diaspora.
As NBAF moves toward its next chapter and the return of the festival, we are proud to reinstate the Collector’s Guild in July 2026 as a renewed invitation to support Black art and culture while honoring the legacy of the artists who entrusted their work to the organization.
The Collector’s Guild is not an art sale. It is a philanthropic giving program rooted in relationship, preservation, and cultural legacy. Many of the prints within the collection were originally commissioned by or provided to NBAF by legendary artists including David Driskell, Elizabeth Catlett, Faith Ringgold, Louis Delsarte, Benny Andrews and Sam Gilliam with the understanding that the works would support the mission and sustainability of NBAF through charitable giving.
Each work within the NBAF collection carries both artistic and historical significance.
By joining the Collector’s Guild, supporters become part of a legacy that values cultural preservation, artistic excellence, and community investment.
Contact Director of Individual Giving April Wright at awright@nbaf.org for more information.
Collect with purpose. Preserve legacy. Invest in culture.
Wynton’s Tune by Faith Ringgold (2004)
Sam Gilliam, Wind (2005)
COLLECTORS GUIDE
Robin Holder, They Damaged Us More Than Katrina
David Driskell, Dancing Angel
Elizabeth Catlett, Fiesta
Louis Delsarte, The Letter
FINE ART + FASHION
Fine Art + Fashion: Twenty Years of Creativity, Culture, and Style
All NBAF Fine Art + Fashion 2026 photos by @kimevansphotos
For two decades, Fine Art + Fashion has stood at the intersection of artistic expression, cultural influence, and style. What began as a fundraising event has evolved into one of NBAF’s signature experiences, bringing together artists, designers, collectors, cultural leaders, and supporters who understand that fashion is more than what we wear. It is storytelling, identity, innovation, and art.
Throughout its history, Fine Art + Fashion has celebrated the creative visionaries who shape culture through design, visual art, and image-making. The event has become a platform for honoring artistic
NBAF 2026 Board of Directors
FINE ART + FASHION
FINE ART + FASHION
excellence while supporting NBAF’s commitment to artist development, arts education, and cultural programming throughout the year.
The 20th Anniversary celebration, in partnership with Neiman Marcus Atlanta, continued that tradition, recognizing individuals whose work has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape. Honorees included acclaimed actress Lynn Whitfield, recipient of the Cultural Icon Award; visual artist Michi Meko, recipient of the Radcliffe Bailey Excellence in Visual Arts Award; and celebrated stylist Jeremy Haynes, recipient of the Style Architect Award.
The evening also highlighted NBAF’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of creative talent through Fashion Forward, the organization’s student design mentorship and competition. By connecting emerging designers with industry professionals, Fashion Forward provides aspiring creatives with mentorship, exposure, and opportunities to develop their craft.
As NBAF looks toward the future, Fine Art + Fashion remains a celebration of the artists, designers, and cultural innovators who continue to shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Twenty years later, the conversation between art and fashion remains as vibrant, relevant, and inspiring as ever.
FINE ART + FASHION
All NBAF 2026 Fine Art + Fashion photos by @kimevansphotos
One question has followed NBAF wherever we go. When is the festival coming back? Today, our answer is Summer 2027.
FESTIVAL FUND
After more than a decade, NBAF’s iconic summer festival is returning. For 25 years, the festival brought together artists, audiences, thinkers, and communities from across Atlanta and around the world. It was where creativity flourished, conversations sparked, and generations gathered to celebrate the richness and complexity of Black culture.
Now it’s time to bring it back.
But the return of the festival will not happen through wishful thinking or nostalgia. It will happen because a community of supporters decides that Black art, culture, and imagination are worth investing in.
That’s why we created The Festival Fund.
The Festival Fund is NBAF’s annual community giving campaign and a direct investment in the return of the festival and the future of the organization. Its success will help us build the infrastructure, programs, and artistic experiences necessary to sustain the festival for years to come while reducing our dependence on resources that do not always prioritize Black cultural institutions at the level they deserve.
Every gift supports:
• The return of NBAF’s iconic summer festival in 2027
• Year-round programs that elevate artists and cultural visionaries
• Arts education initiatives that inspire the next generation
• Artist commissions, awards, and creative opportunities
• Free and accessible cultural experiences for the community
Our goal remains ambitious and achievable: 10,000 people giving $100.
Give $100. Then invite 10 friends to do the same. Together, we can ensure that the next chapter of NBAF is written not only by institutions, but by the community that has sustained us for nearly four decades.
Join us. Invest in what must endure. Fund the Festival at www.nbaf.org/donate.
NBAF SPONSORS
NBAF extends our sincere gratitude to the many funders and individuals who make this important work possible. Together, we create impactful arts programming for the community while championing the art and artists of African descent across the disciplines of music, film, theatre, dance, visual arts, and literary arts.
Major funding for NBAF is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners through the Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
NBAF SPONSORS & PARTNERS
26Health – Corporate Foundation/Government and Business Partner
Arts ATL – Media Partner
Atlanta ShowGuide – Media Partner
Atlanta Tribune Magazine – Media Partner
Bloomberg Philanthropies – Program Sponsor
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta – Corporate Foundation/Government and Business Partner
Fulton County Board of Commissioners – Donor/ Sponsor
Georgia-Pacific – Donor/Sponsor
IST Management Services – Corporate Foundation/ Government and Business Partner
Jaro – Media Partner
Jazz WCLK 91.9 – Media Partner
Little Alley Steak – Corporate Foundation/ Government and Business Partner
Lloyd Media Group – Media Partner
Neiman Marcus – Event Partner/Sponsor
Northside/Sandy Springs Neighbor – Media Partner
PBA – Media Partner
Radio One – Media Partner
St. James Live – Corporate Foundation/Government and Business Partner
Sentinel Media – Media Partner
Smooth Jazz WJZA 106.1 – Media Partner
South Arts – Program Sponsor
Southern Seasons – Media Partner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Media Partner
The Atlantan – Media Partner
The Cousins Foundation – Program Sponsor
WABE – Media Partner
Inspired by the spirit of 1964's Freedom Summer, NBAF invites artists, writers, scholars, and cultural thinkers to reflect on the meaning of freedom as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. Experience Meditations On Freedom throughout the summer at @nbaf on Instagram.
NBAF BOARD & STAFF
NBAF BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lisa Bonner, Esq., Chair Managing Attorney, Bonner Law, PC
Carole Irene Sykes, Vice-Chair Director of Communications, Georgia Public Defender Council, Atlanta Judicial Circuit
Felicia McDade, Treasurer Account Director, SourceBlue, LLC / Turner Construction Company
Demetria Ali, Secretary Technical Program Manager, Microsoft
Bianca Blades Sr. Lead Advisor Franchisee Selection, Chick-fil-A
Cecilia Cheeks
AVP Marketing and Communications, Clark Atlanta University
Jennifer Christian Quality Manager, McKesson
Kimberly Fisher Director of Operations, Fisher Orthodontics
Malik W. Hakeem
Administratrator/CEO, Bonterra Transitional Care and Rehabilitation
Fredrick Hicks Founder/CEO, Hicks Evaluation Group
Derek Johnson
Media Personality and Celebrity Hair Stylist, The J Spot Salon
Mshon Pulliam Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Dr. Tiffany Rand Founder/CEO, Polish Dental Centers
Dawn Rhoden
SVP & Consumer Banking Region Executive, Bank of America
Angela Watts Founder/CEO, 10 Squared Agency / RAGTRADE ATLANTA
Preston Wilson, Jr. Engineering Consultant, Intuitive Surgical
Leatrice Ellzy Ex-Officio President & CEO
NBAF STAFF
Leatrice Ellzy President & CEO
Anita Hicks Deputy Director
Ravi Windom Director of Programs
April Wright Director of Individual Giving
Kerri Garrett Associate Director, Youth Programs
Apollo Gunn Digital Communications & Special Projects Manager
Judy Hanenkrat Special Events & Fundraising
Renee Billy Sponsorship Sales Consultant
Tiffany Ellzy Marketing and Branding Strategist
Anshul Hans Wesley Accountant
