The 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala: A Love Letter to Black Women - The energy was electric as guests wrapped around Sixth Street and Penn Avenue, waiting to step onto the Black Carpet and into an unforgettable night of art, style, and celebration.
FashionAFRICANA premiered Simon Frederick’s The Unspoken Elegance of Stillness: A Love Letter to Black Women, brought to life with a breathtaking performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra composed by Carlos Simon. The evening honored Olympian Swin Cash, international model Fatou Jobe, and Mayor Ed Gainey, alongside moving performances— including Kontara Morphis’ powerful new work ROOTED.
From Damon Young’s stirring opening Love Letter to the leadership of co-chairs Kiya Tomlin and Mary McKinney Flaherty, the night overflowed with grace, purpose, and magic—beautifully guided by our emcees, Lisa Smith and Tamara Abney.
The gala culminated with 100 radiant Black women—leaders, creators, and visionaries—standing together in a breathtaking tribute to our beauty, brilliance, and diversity.
Media Credits:
@jItvisuals – Director of Media
@lanamafilms – Assistant Director of Media
@cwlcreatives – Editing
@darealkeith – Cinematography
AFRICANISM GALA BENEFICIARY:
AFRICANA INITIATIVE
The AFRICANA Initiative is a FashionAFRICANA program dedicated to enriching arts and cultural education for middle and high school students. Our mission is to empower and inspire the next generation of young artists and cultural leaders, fostering a vibrant connection between Black creatives in the USA and Africa. To learn more about our programming, please visit FashionAFRICANA.com.
SIGNATURE & NATIONAL PROGRAMS:
FestivalAFRICANA
FashionAFRICANA Artist Residency Program
ARTSedAFRICANA
Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project
August Wilson New Voices
Next Narrative Monologue Competition
The Art of Design & Storytelling
FashionAFRICANA Speaker Series
AFRICANISM GALA: A CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE AND BLACK CREATIVITY
AFRICANISM GALA 2025: A Love Letter to Black Women
FashionAFRICANA proudly presents the 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala—a globally inspired celebration of Black culture, heritage, and creative brilliance.
This year’s gala, A Love Letter to Black Women, is a powerful tribute to the beauty, power, and enduring strength of Black women across the African diaspora.
Held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the historic Heinz Hall, and produced in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the evening will feature the U.S. premiere of Simon Frederick’s evocative filmThe Unspoken Elegance of Stillness: A Love Letter to Black Women. The screening will be accompanied by a live orchestral score performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra —merging cinematic storytelling with symphonic grandeur showcasing the radiant beauty, power, and diversity of Black women.
Featured in ESSENCE magazine, the AFRICANISM Gala has emerged as a premier cultural event celebrating Black excellence, creativity, and heritage on a global stage. STAY TUNED for more gala highlights and featured guests!
Proceeds from the AFRICANISM Gala benefit the AFRICANA Initiative—FashionAFRICANA’s signature arts and cultural education platform. The Initiative provides transformative educational experiences for youth through creative expression, mentorship, and access to Black artists, designers, and cultural leaders. Your support helps empower the next generation of storytellers and changemakers. For more information, www.FashionAFRICANA.com.
🎟️ Ticket Levels
General Admission – $75 Early Bird: $50 (August 1–31) Includes access to the full gala program and open seating in the balcony or gallery.
Preferred Orchestra – $150 Early Bird: $100 (August 1–31) Includes reserved orchestra-level seating and priority access to the red carpet and cultural installations.
VIP Experience – $250 Early Bird: $200 (August 1–31) Includes premium orchestra or box seating, VIP cocktail reception access, early red carpet entry, and a commemorative FashionAFRICANA gift. Limited availability.
The Legacy Experience – $500 Premium, all-inclusive experience (not included in Early Bird sale) Includes front-row or premium box seating, early red carpet arrival, a private pre-reception with honorees and celebrity guests, champagne service, luxury gift package, and name recognition in the printed gala program. Extremely limited.
AFRICANISM GALA 2025 is more than an event—it is a powerful statement of reverence and celebration. Join us as we honor the voices, visions, and legacy of Black women through a lens of style, grace, and unapologetic brilliance.
Become a Sponsor of AFRICANISM GALA 2025
Become a Sponsor of AFRICANISM GALA 2025
We invite you to partner with FashionAFRICANA as a sponsor of the 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala: A Love Letter to Black Women, taking place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the historic Heinz Hall. This premier cultural event celebrates Black excellence through art, fashion, music, and storytelling—and reaches a diverse, intergenerational audience of tastemakers, artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural influencers.
As a sponsor, your brand will be aligned with a powerful platform that uplifts Black culture and heritage while directly supporting the AFRICANA Initiative—FashionAFRICANA’s signature educational program that empowers youth through access to arts, culture, and mentorship.
Together, we can inspire a new generation of creative leaders and changemakers.
For sponsorship opportunities and customized benefits, please contact us at info@fashionafricana.com.
AFRICANISM GALA: 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
AFRICANISM GALA: 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
