The annual fundraising Gala brings NBAF supporters together to celebrate the work that NBAF has done to showcase Black art and artists and present high quality Black arts programming to our community. The themed event features a cocktail hour, four course dinner, open bar, curated art auction, live performances and an awards celebration honoring arts trailblazers and the NBAF Horizon Awards for Emerging Artists winners.
Join us for an elegant evening highlighting artistic excellence as we celebrate 35 years of providing quality arts within the community. Showcasing the best in the arts, "Mahogany" will be an evening of vintage glamour incorporating all shades of beautiful brown for a bold black-tie affair that offers a spectacular immersive experience of fun, food, and art!
NBAF is proud to honor one of Hollywood’s most influential and record-breaking producers, Will Packer, with our Trailblazer in the Arts Award during our 2023 Gala.
Will Packer, Founder/CEO of Will Packer Productions, has produced or executive produced a wide range of movies that have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, including "Girls Trip", "Night School", "Ride Along," "Think Like a Man," and "Straight Outta Compton". Will Packer Media produces episodic series across platforms and compelling content for brand clients. Will Packer produced the 2022 Academy Awards, serves on the board of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, is a longtime supporter of HBCU initiatives and a magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU).
NBAF’s gala dinner menu curator, Marcus Samuelsson, is the renowned chef behind restaurants including Red Rooster Harlem, MARCUS Montreal, Streetbird at Yankee Stadium, Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House in the Bahamas, and the recently opened Marcus Bar & Grille in Atlanta, among others. Samuelsson has won eight James Beard Foundation awards as chef, author, and TV personality.
In addition, Gala attendees will enjoy performances by Broadway Musical Theatre performer Maiesha McQueen, dance performance by the Maynard High School dance students, live musical performances by NBAF Artist Project Fund Recipient and Saxophonist K. Calloway, and the Charles R. Drew Charter School Senior Academy Jazz Band, and a silent auction of 35+ works by Black artists!
The official after party for the NBAF Gala, The Artist Showcase celebrates the art and artists that NBAF has supported throughout the year with live performances, a silent auction, complimentary cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres!
Enjoy intimate headlining performances by Carl Thomas and Donell Jones!
Artist Showcase attendees will also enjoy performances by NBAF Artist Project Fund Recipient and Saxophonist K. Calloway & The Boys, dance performance by Spelman Dance Theatre students, live musical performances by NBAF Artist Project Fund Recipient and R&B Singer, Dri Jack, and a silent auction of works by Black artists!
