FashionAFRICANA

Congratulations !👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 from
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just won the second Empowered Vision Award. Supermodel and made the announcement at a celebration in New York City. Baptiste receives a $100,000 financial grant and a year-long mentorship program valued at an additional $100,000. In addition, each finalist will also receive a grant this year. Head to link in bio for more.

✨ THE AFRICANA INITIATIVE — THIS IS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO ✨

2025 HIGHLIGHTS

We’re proud to share a glimpse into the AFRICANA Initiative — the heart of FashionAFRICANA and the beneficiary of the AFRICANISM Gala. Every moment at the Gala is rooted in the work we do year-round: creating opportunities, building bridges, and celebrating Black excellence.

💛 Jay Chapman began with us as a high school student through the Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project and winner of the August Wilson Monologue Competition. Today, he works with top theaters in the region and returned as Stage Manager at Heinz Hall for our 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala.

💛 Jamen Thurmond, part of our Workforce Development Program, has served as Media Director for the AFRICANISM Gala for three years, capturing our story through his brilliant lens.

💛 Artist-in-Residence Kontara Morphis created a new work and worked with featured artist Simon Frederick, which premiered on our Gala stage.

💛 Recent grad & Workforce Development participant Laura T**i co-designed our VIP Activation Area featuring Weisshouse pieces and served as Project Manager, showcasing exceptional emerging talent.

💛 Darnell Peak, a current high school student in our arts education program and an August Wilson Monologue Competition winner, is now training as an emerging photographer under our Media Director, Jamen Thurmond — inspired after seeing Jamen’s work in our program.

💛 40+ PPS high school students attended the Gala — many seeing themselves on the big screen and imagining what’s possible.

This is the AFRICANA Initiative:
Pathways. Access. Representation. Creative excellence.🖤

As we prepare for FashionAFRICANA’s 25th Anniversary and the 4th Annual AFRICANISM Gala in 2026, we invite you to stay on this journey with us.

🙏🏾 If this work inspires you, please consider supporting the AFRICANA Initiative. Please visit FashionAFRICANA.com for more information.

✨ The 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala: A Love Letter to Black Women ✨

The energy was electric! 🔥 Guests wrapped around Sixth Street and Penn Avenue, eagerly waiting to hit the Black Carpet and step into an unforgettable night of art, style, and celebration.

FashionAFRICANA proudly premiered Simon Frederick’s film The Unspoken Elegance of Stillness: A Love Letter to Black Women, accompanied by a breathtaking live performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra 🎻.

The evening also honored icons of excellence — Olympian Swin Cash, international model Fatou Jobe, and Mayor Ed Gainey, alongside stunning performances including Kontara Morphis’ powerful new work, ROOTED, which ignited the audience with emotion and pride.

From Damon Young’s stirring opening Love Letter to Black Women to our extraordinary co-chairs Kiya Tomlin and Mary McKinney Flaherty, the night was filled with grace, purpose, and pure magic.

And guiding us through every unforgettable moment were our emcees — the brilliant Lisa Smith and Tamara Abney — whose energy, elegance, and seamless flow elevated the experience for everyone in the room.

The night culminated with 100 radiant Black women — leaders, creators, innovators, and visionaries — standing together on stage in a breathtaking tribute to the beauty, brilliance, and diversity of who we are. 🖤✨

- Director of Media
- Assistant Director of Media
- Editing
- Cinematography

You REALLY don’t want to miss this! Buy your tickets TODAY to the 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala on Saturday, November 8th at Heinz Hall - visit AFRICANISMgala.com for ticket information.

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Every generation gets one night that defines its moment.

Will you be one of the few who can say, I was there?

On November 8, The Unspoken Elegance of Stillness takes centre stage at Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh — a film written and directed by Simon Frederick,
featuring an original symphony dedicated to Black women, composed by Carlos Simon, and performed live by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Presented as the centrepiece of the AFRICANISM Gala, this historic evening celebrates the beauty, strength, and brilliance of Black women. Raising vital funds to support the next generation of Black artists and cultural leaders.

History will be made.
One night only.

🎟️ Tickets available now at AFRICANISMgala.com