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Blavity Fest’s dynamic Atlanta debut puts focus on Black culture, creativity

Two-day event featured panels, performances and healing spaces designed to uplift entrepreneurs and artists.
Blavity Inc. hosted its annual Blavity Fest for the first time in Atlanta on May 31 and June 1 on Lee Street. The event celebrated Black empowerment in entrepreneurship, media, entertainment and music. Blavity Fest featured panel discussions with prominent Black leaders from across America, along with live performances by Akeem Ali and 2 Chainz that garnered a crowd of hundreds. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Blavity Inc. hosted its annual Blavity Fest for the first time in Atlanta on May 31 and June 1 on Lee Street. The event celebrated Black empowerment in entrepreneurship, media, entertainment and music. Blavity Fest featured panel discussions with prominent Black leaders from across America, along with live performances by Akeem Ali and 2 Chainz that garnered a crowd of hundreds. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)
June 1, 2025

Blavity Fest made its Atlanta debut this weekend with a strong and timely message: Black culture is not just worthy of celebration — it’s a force for economic, artistic and political power.

From discussions on scaling businesses to calls for protecting Black history and mental health, the two-day gathering at Lee + White became a rallying space for progress, perseverance and community.

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The two-day festival celebrated Black empowerment across entrepreneurship, media, entertainment and music, featuring panels, art galleries and live performances by Akeem Ali and 2 Chainz (above). (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

The two-day festival celebrated Black empowerment across entrepreneurship, media, entertainment and music, featuring panels, art galleries and live performances by Akeem Ali and 2 Chainz (above). (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right) and Lakeysha Hallmon, founder of the Village Market, discuss the importance of supporting local Black-owned businesses at Blavity Fest. Dickens praised programs like Invest Atlanta, a city initiative launched in 2015 to focus on building a stronger, more equitable economic foundation. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right) and Lakeysha Hallmon, founder of the Village Market, discuss the importance of supporting local Black-owned businesses at Blavity Fest. Dickens praised programs like Invest Atlanta, a city initiative launched in 2015 to focus on building a stronger, more equitable economic foundation. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

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Blavity Inc. hosted its annual Blavity Fest for the first time in Atlanta on May 31 and June 1 on Lee Street, celebrating Black empowerment in entrepreneurship, media, entertainment and music. The two-day event featured panel discussions with prominent Black leaders from across America, along with live performances by Akeem Ali and 2 Chainz. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Blavity Inc. hosted its annual Blavity Fest for the first time in Atlanta on May 31 and June 1 on Lee Street, celebrating Black empowerment in entrepreneurship, media, entertainment and music. The two-day event featured panel discussions with prominent Black leaders from across America, along with live performances by Akeem Ali and 2 Chainz. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)
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Raquel Martin led a panel at Blavity Fest titled “High-Value Habits: The Routines That Make or Break Your Success,” which explored how Black professionals can reduce stress and increase productivity by adopting what she calls “small, smart habits.” (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Raquel Martin led a panel at Blavity Fest titled “High-Value Habits: The Routines That Make or Break Your Success,” which explored how Black professionals can reduce stress and increase productivity by adopting what she calls “small, smart habits.” (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

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Nia Lewis, one of the featured art vendors at Blavity Fest, connected with the event through the Black Girl Art Show, which opened the door for her to showcase her motivational artwork in the Black artist Pop-up Gallery within the vendor area. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Nia Lewis, one of the featured art vendors at Blavity Fest, connected with the event through the Black Girl Art Show, which opened the door for her to showcase her motivational artwork in the Black artist Pop-up Gallery within the vendor area. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

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Tasanee Durrett of Orlando made the journey to Atlanta to attend Blavity Fest. She praised the event for creating a safe space to explore and elevate Black ideas and voices. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Tasanee Durrett of Orlando made the journey to Atlanta to attend Blavity Fest. She praised the event for creating a safe space to explore and elevate Black ideas and voices. (Zaire Breedlove/AJC)

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About the Author

Zaire Breedlove is an intern for AJC's UATL and a journalism major at Kennesaw State University. In the past, he's written and managed The Sentinel, and served as a Reporter for Fresh Take Georgia at the Center for Sustainable Journalism, focusing on Immigration and statewide political coverage.