CultureCon 2026 Returns to Brooklyn With Michael B. Jordan, Mahershala Ali, and a Blueprint for the Next Generation of Creators

Here's the CultureCon draft. The key facts are confirmed: the festival runs Oct. 3 and 4 at the Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, it's presented by Chase Ink, and the Creator Summit is presented by Kensington Grey.

CultureCon 2026 Returns to Brooklyn With Michael B. Jordan, Mahershala Ali, and a Blueprint for the Next Generation of Creators

This weekend, the culture is heading to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

CultureCon returns October 3 and 4 at the Duggal Greenhouse. This year's theme is "Museum of Us," a celebration of the people shaping culture right now rather than waiting for history to recognize them later. Imani Ellis founded CultureCon, and over the years it has grown into one of the country's most important gatherings for Black and multicultural creatives. This year's lineup may be its strongest yet.

The star power

The headliner is Michael B. Jordan, who arrives in Brooklyn fresh off his Best Actor Oscar for Ryan Coogler's Sinners. He's also gearing up for The Thomas Crown Affair, which he directed, produced, and stars in. He'll be joined by Lanterns star Aaron Pierre and rappers Wale and Tobe Nwigwe. The previously announced lineup includes John Legend, Mahershala Ali, Daniel Kaluuya, Niecy Nash-Betts, Colin Kaepernick, and Sherri Shepherd. Also on the program are Miles Caton, who made his acting debut opposite Jordan in Sinners, Love Island USA favorite Olandria Carthen, beauty founder Danessa Myricks, NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth, and entertainment host Scott Evans.

Beyond the celebrity panels

The famous names will fill the room, but for many attendees, the most valuable part of CultureCon happens off the main stage. The weekend includes a Founder Summit, a Creator Summit, a Creative Business Stage, a Career Lounge, recruiter experiences with major brands, hands-on workshops, and a Small Business Marketplace. Sponsors include Chase Ink, Cricket Wireless, Lincoln, HBO Max, Audible, TikTok, Google, and Pinterest.

That matters. Independent creators, and especially independent journalists, are building media businesses without the safety net that legacy institutions once offered. Knowing how to get in front of brands, negotiate partnerships, and turn an audience into income is no longer optional. CultureCon treats that knowledge as seriously as it treats star power, and that's the reason to pay attention.

CultureCon Week is already underway

For New Yorkers, the festivities have already started. CultureCon Week runs through October 2 with dinners, screenings, and community events across the city before the main festival begins Saturday.

Why it matters

The industry keeps promising more access and representation, and CultureCon keeps showing what it looks like when people build that access themselves. When an Oscar winner shares a stage with first-time founders and emerging creators, the message is clear: there is more than one way into this business, and you don't have to wait for permission.

Cup of Soul will be following the conversations coming out of Brooklyn this weekend. Tickets and schedule information are available at CultureCon's official website.

For more information go to https://cultureconcollective.com/culturecon-2026-festival