NBAF’s Fine Art + Fashion Turns 20: Atlanta Celebrates Black Art, Fashion, and Cultural Excellence

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Atlanta History Center set the stage for a night rooted in elegance, purpose, and cultural pride as the National Black Arts Festival celebrated the 20th anniversary of Fine Art + Fashion in partnership with Neiman Marcus. Under the leadership of President and CEO Leatrice Elzy, the evening opened with a powerful reminder that the NBAF is not simply an organization, it is a force shaping how Black art is experienced, nurtured, and sustained both in Atlanta and around the world.

Elzy greeted guests with clarity and purpose, outlining the organization’s far-reaching impact—from serving students across Atlanta Public Schools through MOVE/DANCE and Next Generation art residencies, to supporting working artists through its Artist Project Fund. She spoke to the NBAF’s continued commitment to access and innovation, citing public-facing initiatives like mural projects, mobile art experiences, and outdoor festivals, as well as meaningful cultural conversations with artists and scholars, including Carrie Mae Weems. Her message was clear: the work is ongoing, and the investment in the next generation is real.

Board Chair Lisa Bonner, Esq., followed with a warm welcome that grounded the evening in its mission of youth education and cultural stewardship. Inside the Grand Overlook Ballroom, an intimate crowd of Atlanta’s social, political, and arts communities gathered for a beautifully curated dining experience by Legendary Events, where conversation and connection flowed as effortlessly as the evening itself.

The evening didn’t just celebrate established excellence, it made space for what’s next. The NextGen Student Visual Art Competition served as a powerful reminder that Atlanta’s creative future is already taking shape in classrooms across the city. Finalists Camille Jokes of Maynard Jackson High School and Ni-khole Golding of Booker T. Washington High School presented work that felt both self-assured and deeply expressive, while winner Cayden Singleton emerged as a standout, signaling a voice that is not only developing, but already resonating.

That same forward momentum carried into the fashion forward student design program, where Maddison Pinson, Franklin Gwengewe, and Jeremiah Burrough each delivered designs that reflected individuality and vision beyond their years. Cardin ultimately took top honors, but collectively, the group offered something even more valuable, a glimpse into a future of fashion that feels bold, inspired, and distinctly their own.

As the evening transitioned to the garden terrace, the experience opened into something even more immersive. Seated beneath the stars in the terrace’s intimate, amphitheater-style setting, guests were surrounded by lush, refined scenery. Guests were welcomed by Adrian V. Jefferson of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, reinforcing the city’s commitment to the arts, a sentiment further underscored by the presence and continued support of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

It was in that setting that Derek J, beloved Atlanta socialite and philanthropist, took command of the moment. With signature charisma and purpose, he reminded guests that while the fashion show was a visual highlight, the true assignment of the evening was impact. With both warmth and conviction, he encouraged attendees to give generously, reinforcing that sustaining the arts requires more than admiration it requires real support.

The fashion presentation itself, curated by Neiman Marcus Atlanta’s Rebecca Brodnin and Margaret Merritt, delivered exactly what the moment called for elevated, refined, and visually striking. Each look felt like a continuation of the evening’s narrative, where artistry and identity met on the runway.

The evening’s honorees embodied excellence across disciplines. Visual artist Michi Meko received the Radcliffe Bailey Excellence in Visual Art Award, while the Style Architect Award honored Jeremy Haynes, whose global influence continues to shape the fashion landscape.

And then, in a moment that felt both celebratory and deeply personal, the Cultural Icon Award was presented to the incomparable Lynn Whitfield. Reflecting on her decades-spanning career, Whitfield shared that each character she has portrayed has taught her something, lessons that have shaped not only her craft, but her understanding of herself. Dressed in a vintage pink ensemble accented by a bejeweled shawl, she was every bit the icon, embodying grace, depth, and the kind of presence that cannot be replicated.

The evening concluded with a celebratory toast from Leatrice Elzy, honoring the friends, sponsors, and donors who have sustained the NBAF’s work for two decades.

Atlanta has worked hard to ensure that the arts are not just supported, but are understood as essential. That truth was on full display during the celebration of NBAF Fine Art + Fashion.