A weekend celebration to showcase unique talent, art and businesses from the local black community
The Dallas Arboretum announces the second annual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC), presented by Bank of America, taking place on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15. The weekend will place the spotlight on the unique talents, art and businesses from the local black community. This event is open to the public and is included in the general admission to the Dallas Arboretum.
“We are excited to bring this amazing event back to the Dallas community for a second year and expand it to an entire weekend,” said Linda Todd, Dallas Arboretum board member and Black Heritage Celebration committee chairperson. “This is a special opportunity to experience the beauty of our local black culture amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Dallas Arboretum.”
The BHC will feature an array of exciting highlights for the entire family to enjoy. A highly anticipated “Art of Fashion” show will showcase the works of local black designers including Donna Rose, Aundrea Love and Pink Lucy, among others. Guests will also be entertained by lively performances from the award-winning Dallas Black Dance Theatre and the Bishop Arts Theater Center as well as by musical selections from Don Diego Band and Clover the Violinist. Additionally, both days will feature cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, a vendor exhibit with more than 40 Black-owned businesses and the opportunity to explore the Dallas Arboretum’s many gardens and exhibits.
New this year, is an art exhibit coordinated by the South Dallas Cultural Center that will feature a curated collection of art from local African American galleries showcasing their artwork in the DeGolyer House. Artists include Emmanuel Gillespie of Pencil on Paper Gallery, Barbara and James Mason of Msanii House Gallery, Natasha Johnson of South Dallas Cultural Center and Sharidyn Barnes, Jennifer Monet Cowley and Kumiko Johnson of Daisha Board Gallery.
On Sunday, there will be a designer and entrepreneur showcase. Themed The Power of Black Heritage: The Elegance of Black Hair, here are the two panel discussions:
12pm Part 1: The CROWN Act: A conversation with Tashara Parker, Emmy-award winning journalist, and Texas State Rep. Rhetta Bowers (District 113).
1pm. Part 2: A Black Heritage Gardenside Chat with Mahisha Dellinger, CEO and founder of CURLS, moderated by Parker.
Tickets to attend the event are included in the admission to the garden and must be pre-purchased online at https://www.dallasarboretum.org/ or by calling 214-515-6615. For more information and to view the complete list of weekend activities, entertainment, and vendors, please click here.
“The Black Heritage Celebration is a unifying event that brings people from all backgrounds and cultures together to enjoy a weekend of great fashion, music, entertainment, shopping and so much more, “said Todd. “I encourage everyone to come out to enjoy all of the great hidden gems that are nestled here in our own backyard.”
The Black Heritage Celebration planning host committee consists of Linda Todd (chairperson), Marissa Horne, Tiffaney Hunter, Janet Jack, Katrina Keyes, Willow Sanchez, Celia Walker, Maurice West and Z.L. Williams.
This year’s honorary council includes LaJuana Barton; Trudy Bourgeois; Dr. Chandra Brown; Neisha Strambler Butler; Richie Butler; Bryan Carter; Stephanie Carter; Mahisha Dellinger; Sharron Evans-Jackson; Dr. Arlene J. Ford, Ph.D; LaChon Jacobs; Dean Jones; The Honorable Racquel Jones; April Leonard; Wilton Munnings; Tom and Venita Owens; Christopher P. Reynolds; The Honorable Toni Rose; Rodriqua Ross; James and Deidre Summers; Kimberly Bizor Tolbert.
Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Bank of America.
Platinum Sponsor: Curls
Gold Sponsors: ; AT&T; ExxonMobil; McDonald’s of North Texas
Silver Sponsors: Capital One; Alpha Kappa Alpha-Alpha Xi Omega Chapter
Additional supporting sponsors: Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness; Dallas Chapter of The Links, Inc.; HomeLight; Law Office of Camille Stearns Miller, House of Daisha
Media sponsors are The Dallas Weekly, Texas Metro News and Radio One.
About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The garden is also home of the nationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. It is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Daytime admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. Parking is $11 purchased online. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA, Channel 8 is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum. Timed tickets are required and can be purchased online at www.dallasarboretum.org or by calling 214-515-6615.