CultureCon NYC Is Back! John Legend, Olandria Carthen, Niecy Nash-Betts & More Set for 2026 Festival

CultureCon NYC is getting ready to take over Brooklyn with an all-star lineup and a bigger vision for the next generation of creators, entrepreneurs and changemakers. 🔥

Returning to the Duggal Greenhouse at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on October 3–4, CultureCon 2026 will bring together some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, business, fashion and culture for a weekend centered on inspiration, education, networking and career growth.

This year’s star-studded lineup includes John Legend, Mahershala Ali, Colin Kaepernick, Olandria Carthen, Niecy Nash-Betts, Miles Caton, Daniel Kaluuya, Danessa Myricks, Rajah Caruth, Scott Evans and Sherri Shepherd, with more names expected to join the weekend.

Founded by Imani Ellis, CultureCon is embracing the theme “Museum of Us,” celebrating the people shaping culture right now and preserving their impact while they are still making it happen.

The 2026 festival will also introduce new programming and spaces, including a Career Lounge, Small Business Marketplace, Creative Business Stage and Braindate, designed to connect attendees with mentorship, professional development and tangible opportunities.

For the first time, CultureCon is partnering with Black Girl Art Show and Black Boy Art Show to spotlight emerging Black artists. Literature and Libations will also bring books and author meet-and-greets to the festival.

CultureCon Week will kick off ahead of the main event with five days of dinners, screenings and community experiences alongside major brand partners.

With partners including Chase Ink, Cricket Wireless, Lincoln, HBO Max, TikTok and Audible, CultureCon 2026 is positioning itself as more than an annual festival—it’s building a community designed to help creatives turn inspiration into action.

CultureCon NYC 2026 takes place October 3–4 at the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn.

PEOPLE