CultureCon is preparing to return to Brooklyn with an expanded lineup of talent and a full weekend of programming celebrating creativity, culture and community.
Michael B. Jordan, Aaron Pierre, Wale and Tobe Nwigwe are among the latest additions to CultureCon 2026. They join previously announced talent including John Legend, Mahershala Ali, Colin Kaepernick, Niecy Nash-Betts, Daniel Kaluuya, Olandria Carthen, Sherri Shepherd and more.
Taking place October 3–4 at the Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this year's festival will bring together voices across entertainment, sports, business and the creative industries.
Under the theme "Museum of Us," CultureCon will celebrate the people shaping culture today while creating opportunities for emerging creatives and entrepreneurs to connect, learn and share their stories.
Celebrity Conversations and Creative Programming
Beyond its expanded talent lineup, CultureCon has revealed a range of conversations exploring storytelling, entrepreneurship, technology, wellness and creative career development.
HBO Max will host a panel featuring Lanterns star Aaron Pierre and writer Vanessa Baden Kelly, alongside a separate conversation with The Gilded Age executive producer and director Salli Richardson-Whitfield.
Audible will present Beyond the Playbook: Colin Kaepernick on The Perilous Fight, a conversation exploring leadership, identity and owning your narrative. The platform will also host a discussion on building a career in audio storytelling.
Google will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity, while Meta will highlight how wearable technology is creating new possibilities for storytellers.
For entrepreneurs, presenting sponsor Chase Ink will offer its Founder Studio and Cash Back Connect Café, providing spaces to hear from business owners, access resources and connect with fellow creatives.
ESPN will invite creators to pitch stories through its Shoot Your Shot experience and offer small-group mentorship conversations with professionals behind 30 for 30. Kensington Grey's Creator Summit will focus on scaling personal brands and building long-term wealth.
Immersive Experiences Beyond the Stage
CultureCon's partner activations will also bring art, beauty, wellness and cultural expression into the festival experience.
Pinterest will introduce Self-Curated, inviting guests to transform their inspiration into personal collages and portraits for a collaborative community artwork called The Gallery of Us.
Lincoln will present Flow State: Rest as a Creative Strategy, a conversation exploring the importance of rest in the creative process, alongside The Art of Stillness, an immersive space designed for relaxation.
Cricket Wireless will bring Grandma's Living Room to the festival, recreating a familiar space filled with photographs, keepsakes and cultural memories.
Beauty partners Camille Rose and Dosso Beauty will celebrate hair and self-expression through fashion, styling demonstrations and interactive experiences.
Literature & Libations will present the official CultureCon bookstore, featuring a curated collection of books by Black authors alongside original art, lifestyle merchandise and opportunities for literary discovery.
Together, these experiences will give attendees ways to engage with culture beyond the traditional panel format, whether through creating art, discovering new stories, exploring career opportunities or connecting with other members of the creative community.
CultureCon Week Begins September 28
The celebration will extend beyond the festival weekend with CultureCon Week, September 28–October 2, featuring dinners, screenings, networking events and additional programming across New York City.
Among the announced experiences are an Audible creator networking event, a Prime Video screening of The Greatest and additional gatherings hosted by CultureCon partners.
CultureCon's expanded programming reflects a story that goes beyond the names onstage. It is about the creative voices behind the work, the communities formed through shared experiences and the opportunities that emerge when established talent and emerging creators come together.
How to Attend CultureCon 2026
CultureCon will take place Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Ticket options include:
Tickets and additional event information are available at CultureConCollective.com.
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