When I arrived at Lee + White in Atlanta for Blavity Fest 2025, I felt energy vibrating through the industrial-chic air like an electric current of possibility. The reclaimed warehouse space in the heart of Atlanta’s West End was alive with art, affirmation, and a sense of purpose. You could smell the vision, hear the grind, and witness the brilliance of Black creators, builders, entrepreneurs, and doers everywhere. I was welcomed into a cultural classroom, a networking hub, and a family reunion all in one. Blavity Fest was a love letter to Black creatives, dreamers, strategists, and risk-takers, wrapped in panels, music, beauty bars, and Black-owned bites. Its core message? You already have what you need. It’s about tapping into the resilience that lives in our DNA and pairing it with access, collaboration, and joy. This emphasis on resilience and partnership is not just a message but a call to action, empowering us to overcome challenges and work together towards our goals.
“No One Is Self-Made” – The Power of Community
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, the force behind The Village Market ATL and author of “No One Is Self-Made,” kicked off the weekend with Atlanta’s 61st Mayor, Andre Dickens, during a fireside chat at the Blavity Idea Exchange House. She later spoke with me one-on-one and dropped this truth that will live rent-free in my mind forever:
“If we only subscribe to the inequities, they keep us out of place. But if we understand the resilience of who we come from, there’s always been a solution that we created for ourselves.”
Her words were both a mirror and a charge: a reminder that although structural barriers exist, so do Black-led solutions. “Whether it’s Collab Capital, Our Village United, or local hubs like Atlanta’s Russell Center, the infrastructure for growth, learning, and funding already exists.” Our job is to lean into the village, not the narrative of scarcity.
Dr. Hallmon reminded me that the myth of the lone, self-made entrepreneur is not ours to carry. “You’re a reflection of a village,” she said, and I felt that deep. Because at Blavity Fest, I witnessed that village in action.
The Visionaries Behind the Vision
Blavity Inc. itself is a product of this kind of collaboration. Founded in 2014 by Morgan DeBaun, Aaron Samuels, Jonathan Jackson, and Jeff Nelson (four college friends determined to build a media empire for Black millennials. It now reaches over 100 million consumers. That’s not just growth. That’s culture-shifting.
Morgan DeBaun‘s story is one of vision, courage, and strategy. A St. Louis native, she once worked in Silicon Valley and eventually bootstrapped Blavity with $250K of her own money. Let me be clear: Morgan is a trailblazer. And Blavity Fest is her gift to the culture, a space that aims to fuel our ambitions and holds our stories with care.
From Brunch to Black Excellence
Trell Thomas, founder of The Black Excellence Brunch, reminded us that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Moderated by Will Lucas, his session explored scaling, trusting your village, and ensuring people feel seen. “We’ve given flowers (literally and figuratively) to people who have never felt celebrated before,” he said. I could feel the weight of that intention.
And that’s the secret: it’s not just about being in the room. It’s about being acknowledged while you’re there. It’s about curating spaces that center on and celebrate us. Thomas expanded on his intentions, right down to the choice of an all-white dress code to highlight the beauty of our skin tone—intentionality in action.
From Content Creation to Cultural Shift
On the main stage, food critic and social media phenom Keith Lee sat down with Morgan DeBaun to talk about going viral, social anxiety, and staying grounded. “Three hundred people watching your content is a lot,” he reminded us. “It’s all about perspective.”
Many creators would find that perspective encouraging. In a world of algorithms and vanity metrics, Lee reminded us that the people matter more than the numbers. It’s about being consistent, having fun, and understanding your “why.” The millions will come, or they won’t—but the impact remains.
Beauty, Art, and Black Futures
At Summit 21 House, Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye of Ami Colé shared how building a beauty brand required equal parts delusion and data. “Your community is your data,” she said. “They are loyal and will show up.”
I also had the pleasure of chatting with grassroots innovators Joshua Love (founder of the Black Boy Art Show) and visual artist John Hill. When we talked about the erasure of DEI and its impact on artists, they didn’t flinch. “There is something so resilient about Black art,” Love said. “We are creators. We make solutions. We make the change.”
Their message? Keep building the fire. Someone can’t extinguish it.
And I must mention one of my fun highlights: my first gel manicure at the 21Ninety x Grind Pretty Beauty Experience. Life-changing! I can’t go back to regular polish again.
Marsai Martin: The Next Gen Business Maven
To end the weekend, Marsai Martin reminded us why she’s more than a young actress and a mogul in the making. With the wisdom of someone twice her age, she shared that learning business fundamentals such as budgeting, negotiating, and scaling are essential. “It shouldn’t feel like a cage when it’s your time to lead,” she said.
Watching her talk business in a caramel corduroy set, platform shoes, and that signature, Marsai confidence, made me hopeful for the next generation. She’s proof that legacy and leadership are not mutually exclusive.
Music, Soul & The Joy of Celebration
Of course, no Blavity Fest would be complete without music to match the momentum. Later as the sun set on Day One, the air filled with the unmistakable energy of Atlanta’s own 2 Chainz, closing out the night with “Birthday Song,” which had the crowd dancing like nobody had deadlines. Day Two offered a completely different, yet equally moving, vibe as gospel icon Kirk Franklin took us to church, reminding us of the sacredness of joy, faith, and freedom.
From turn-up to testimony, the lineup reflected the full range of Black expression, giving us room to breathe, praise, and party.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Blavity Fest reaffirmed that our community possesses the tools, brilliance, and resilience to sustain itself. Whether you’re an artist, a founder, a storyteller, or just someone trying to make the next move, know this:
We are not lacking.
We are not late.
We are not alone.
We are the village.
And we’re just getting started.
