CultureCon 2026: Brooklyn-Bound Black Celebrities Including Michael B. Jordan, Mahershala Ali, Aaron Pierre

September 27, 2026

Culture, creativity and community are converging in Brooklyn once again for CultureCon 2026, and this year’s star-studded celebration just added even more (massively) major names to the mix.

Michael B. Jordan is officially Brooklyn-bound for the Oct. 3-4 festival, joining a stacked slate of entertainers, creators, athletes, and cultural heavyweights. And considering the Oscar winner’s blockbuster year, we already know plenty of attendees will be listening (and swooning) while he drops gems about his career and creativity as an actor.

A-List Presence Adds Fire to CultureCon

According to an official press release, Jordan will be joined by Lanterns star Aaron Pierre, along with Wale and Tobe Nwigwe. They are joining previously announced names including John Legend, Mahershala Ali, Colin Kaepernick, Niecy Nash Betts, Daniel Kaluuya, Sherri Shepherd, Miles Caton, Danessa Myricks, Rajah Caruth, Scott Evans and Olandria Carthen.

And Michael is not exactly showing up empty-handed.

The actor is coming off an Oscar win for his performance in Sinners and is preparing for the release of The Thomas Crown Affair, which he directed, produced, and stars in. So yes, there should be plenty to talk about when he gets on that CultureCon stage.

According to the official press release, the Imani Ellis-founded event is not simply a celebrity convention where everybody comes to take pictures and disappear. The 2026 theme is “Museum of Us,” and the festival is built around creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders sharing ideas, making connections, and figuring out how to turn their talents into sustainable careers and businesses.

The weekend will also feature a Creative Business Stage, Founder Summit, Creator Summit, Career Lounge, Small Business Marketplace, and Braindate networking experience. CultureCon Week runs September 28 through October 2 with additional dinners, screenings, and community events throughout New York City before the main festival kicks off.

The brand partnerships are looking just as packed. Chase Ink returns as presenting sponsor, while partners including HBO Max, Audible, TikTok, Google, Pinterest, Meta, ESPN, Bravo, Coca-Cola, Camille Rose, and others are bringing their own programming and activations to the weekend.

So whether you are trying to hear Michael B. Jordan talk about Hollywood, catch Colin Kaepernick discussing storytelling, or simply network with people who are building something, CultureCon is clearly bringing the whole crew.

A Brooklyn Weekend All-Hands On Culture

Brooklyn is about to be buzzing.

Who’s headed to CultureCon?

Danielle Brooks

I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.