Art Melanated Hosts Black Art Empowerment Summit

A curated exploration and celebration of melanated artists from across the diaspora recently held its inaugural conference celebrating Black artists, collectors, and enthusiasts.

Source: Art Melanated

Art Melanated, founded by Sol and Jennia Aponte, ushered in a new chapter for Black art appreciation and investment with their debut “Black Art Empowerment Summit.”

Held at the luxurious London Hotel and co-hosted by Nice Crowd alongside ABFF founders Jeff and Nicole Friday, the sold-out event gathered renowned Black artists, creatives, collectors, and advocates, uniting them for a full day dedicated to the celebration and empowerment of Black art.

Source: Art Melanated

A press release reports that the group enjoyed a full day devoted to discussing the evolving landscape of Black art ownership and accessibility and attended panels and networking activities.

Guests included Euphoria’s Nika King, Soul Food’s Vanessa Estelle Williams, Daddy’s Little Girls star Malinda Williams, and CCH Pounder from NCIS.

Source: Art Melanated

Source: Art Melanated

The summit’s programming featured dynamic panels and discussions led by the likes of media personality Tavis Smiley, artists Ferrari Sheppard, Kevin Williams, and Harmonia Rosales, Grammy-winning producer Rikki Hughes, and financial advisor Ayesha Selden were among those who contributed to the day’s dialogue.

Topics covered included the financial intricacies of art appraisals, innovative payment models to make art collecting more accessible, and the shifting power of Black art within cultural and commercial spheres.

“We wanted to create an event that not only celebrates Black art but also empowers those involved to push boundaries and seize new opportunities,” said Art Melanted’s Jennia Aponte who described the summit as an “intersection of art, business, and community aimed at enabling Black creatives and collectors to reclaim and redefine their space in the art world.”

Art Melanated reports that this summit is only the beginning as its founders have already gained attention for their innovative nomadic gallery, which spotlights underrepresented voices in the arts.

Ultimately, Art Melanated’s founders said they envision this summit as a launching pad for ongoing initiatives that “seek to blend artistic vision with economic empowerment, bringing the business of art to the forefront for emerging and established creatives alike.”

What do YOU think about Art Melanated’s “Black Art Empowerment Summit?”