Blavity Fest 2025 pulled up to Atlanta with a message: the culture is alive, thriving and leveling up in every lane. Hosted in the historic West End at the buzzing LEE + WHITE district, this two-day celebration of Black creativity, ownership and community brought thousands together for unforgettable experiences. With support from brands like AT&T and the U.S. Army, Blavity Fest did not just entertain — it empowered.
From deep conversations with leading entrepreneurs to high-energy performances and small business showcases, Blavity Fest 2025 was a full-spectrum cultural takeover. Whether you were there to be inspired, to network or to just enjoy the vibe, the festival gave something for everybody.
Day one kicked off strong with a stacked Main Stage featuring actress and mogul Marsai Martin, food critic and viral sensation Keith Lee, and Blavity’s own CEO Morgan DeBaun. The stage also welcomed Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who joined in a fireside chat that touched on innovation, ownership and the power of investing in Black communities.
Hosted by Paige Shari, V-Live and Charles Beloved, the programming stayed packed with energy. Meanwhile, two key venues — the Blavity Idea Exchange House and Summit 21 House — gave attendees a chance to learn from some of the brightest voices in business, branding, wellness and leadership.
In the Idea Exchange House, David Shands, Teri Ijeoma, Trell Thomas and David Quarles IV led engaging panels on turning side hustles into empires, investing smarter and staying authentic while scaling. The conversations felt like masterclasses designed for today’s content creators and minority entrepreneurs.
At Summit 21, the focus shifted to personal and professional growth with sessions hosted by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, Devi Brown, Karen Civil and lifestyle creator Mattie James. It was the kind of talk that fills your notebook and your spirit. Financial strategy, self-care, brand building and mental health were all on the agenda, proving again that success is not just about money, but mindset.
If you came for the music, Blavity Fest did not disappoint. On Saturday, Atlanta’s own 2 Chainz brought the heat with a performance that turned the outdoor space into a full-blown party. On Sunday, Kirk Franklin took it to church with a soul-stirring gospel set that had folks raising hands and catching the spirit. The contrast in styles showed the range of the culture and the power of music to unite generations.
But Blavity Fest was about more than just big names. The vendor village, Black Art Pop-Up and Small Business Marketplace were packed with local entrepreneurs showcasing their products and services. From skincare to fashion, candles to custom artwork, these vendors were not just selling goods — they were building legacies. There were also beauty stations like the Grind Pretty Beauty Parlor, giving festivalgoers a space to glow up on site.
Over both days, festival guests could tap into various activations like yoga with Johnny Venus of EarthGang and live tapings of the Hardly Initiated Podcast. Meet-ups hosted by Travel Noire, Home & Texture and Afrotech brought together professionals, creatives and community leaders in spaces built to connect and collaborate.
For creatives looking to perform or get discovered, the artist showcase gave rising talent a spotlight. DJ battles kept the energy flowing between sets, featuring names like Supreme the DJ, DJ Bitty and DJ Era holding down the sound. With every transition, the beats kept the crowd moving.
What made Blavity Fest 2025 truly special was how intentional it felt. For an audience between the ages of 18 and 49, the festival hit the sweet spot between vibes and value. You could sip on a mocktail while catching a talk about real estate investing. You could post up for a selfie and end up in a convo about launching a startup. The entire space felt built for the culture, by the culture.
Atlanta has long been a city where Black talent thrives, and Blavity Fest continues to add to that legacy. From fireside chats to festival fun, it reminded everyone in attendance that the culture is not just something we celebrate. It is something we build.
If you missed it this year, go ahead and clear your calendar for 2026. The connections made, lessons learned and joy felt at Blavity Fest 2025 made one thing loud and clear: Black voices, ideas and businesses are not just having a moment. They are the movement.
