Is it us, or can BAUCE men and women be hard to find? This is a constant struggle, especially in the dating world. What events bring out other up-and-coming heavyweights like us– the social entrepreneurs, the artists, people who are making a buzz? Check out these events that attract other cool people like you.
Essence Festival
June 29 – July 2, 2017
New Orleans, Louisiana
The annual Essence Festival is sure to bring in a large crowd and a good time. In addition to amazing speakers like Ava Duvernay, Phaedra Parks, Reverend Al Sharpton, you might catch a concert with John Legend or Solange. Essence Fest also has conferences focusing on entrepreneurship, community engagement, technology and innovation, and so much more. These free events are sure to attract some people worth paying attention to.
Tickets: 3-day ticket packages starting at $126
South by Southwest (SXSW)
Occurred this year on March 10-19, 2017
Austin, Texas
In case you haven’t heard, SXSW is a must-attend gathering of film, media, and music lovers. This annual mix of conferences and festivals focuses on everything from comedy to branding, government to the tech industry, social impact to entrepreneurship, and so much more.
Tickets: Tickets for SXSW 2017 are now being sold starting at $825.
Black Enterprise’s The African American Festival Baltimore, MD
2017 details coming soon; occurred last year on July 2, 2016 – July 3, 2016
Baltimore, Maryland
According to the website, this family-friendly festival is a celebration of African-American life, music, and culture which happens to be the largest cultural festival on the East Coast. You’ll be sure to have a good time and possibly find a boo with the wide array of up-and-coming celebrity talent, performers, and break-out sessions focused on community engagement, health and beauty, and so much more. You might even meet a representative from their impressive sponsors, which in 2016 included TV One.
Tickets: FREE (but you might have to pay for parking)
The BET Experience
June 22, 2017 – June 25, 2017
Los Angeles, California
Right before the BET Awards, the network brings the hottest names in hip hop for a fan experience like no other. Celebrities and music lovers alike will all be gathered for this annual celebration of hip-hop. With the impressive performer lineup, you’re sure to mix and mingle with a fellow music junkie at a concert, conference, or after party.
Tickets: 2017 VIP Packages are on sale now, starting at $1,095
Harlem Arts Festival
2017 details coming soon; occurred last year from June 24 – June 26, 2016
Harlem, New York City, New York
The Harlem Arts Festival is a lively celebration of music, dance, visual art, and spoken word. The 2016 festival drew 17,000 attendees and gained over 100 press mentions. This year’s festival is sure to draw performers and creatives who are down to have a good time. Throughout the year, the Harlem Arts Festival also hosts galas and other cool events, check them out!
Tickets: (2016): $20 online, $25 at the door
Megafest (T.D. Jakes Ministries)
June 28, 2017 – July 1, 2017
Dallas, Texas
Megafest, hosted by The Potter’s Touch Ministries, is a family-friendly festival which brings in thousands of people interested in entrepreneurship, business, education, spiritual enrichment, and other related topics.
Tickets: Adult tickets starting at $69.00
Broccoli City Festival’s Broccoli Conference
April 29, 2017 – May 6, 2017
Washington, D.C.
Broccoli City Week is sure to bring in those who are passionate about creating change in the sustainability, culture, food access, and education. Describing itself as “an incubator for all those who strive to create a better world,” this event is sure to draw some world-changing eye candy (not to mention some impressive speakers and popular artists like 21 Savage, Solange, Lil Yatchy, and Rae Sremmurd)!
Tickets start at $65
AfroPunk
Brooklyn, New York (August 26 – August 27, 2017), Paris (July 15 – July 16), London (July 22 – July 23), Joburg (December 2017)
AfroPunk is an amazing time of music, food, art, and activism. The festival has earned international recognition and always brings in a huge crowd! This is a great event to meet people who are creatively inclined.
Tickets: Starting at $45
Sundance Film Festival
Occurred January 19 – January 29, 2017
Park City, Utah
The Sundance Institute’s annual competition brings in creatives and appreciators of the film industry from all around the world, closing out with an awards ceremony announcing the winners in its multiple categories. Who knows? Next year you might meet the next big thing!
Tickets: Starting at $20 for host-city locals; starting at $250 for non-locals
Art of Cool Festival
April 28 – April 30, 2017
Durham, NC
The Art of Cool is an annual festival where anyone can enjoy a great time of music, food, and learning. The 2017 show will not only feature Rakim as the emcee and Common as a headline artist, but also workshops on investing, equity, recruiting, entrepreneurship, and more. Plus, there are networking opportunities. You know you wanna go!
Tickets: Start at $65 (all tickets will increase by $10 on the day of the show). You can purchase them via BAUCE here!
AfroTech (hosted by Blavity)
November 10-11, 2017
San Francisco, California
This booming online publication by and for millennials is hosting a number of conferences including AfroTech, which has been sponsored in the past by big names such as Facebook. Attendees can expect to hear from entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, and celebrities and a turn-up or two. Come meet other millennials who are passionate about branding, small businesses, culture, and the tech industry.
Tickets: Prices TBA. Prices in 2016 ranged from $15-$490
Black Wall Street Homecoming
2017 details coming soon; occurred last year on October 12-October 14, 2016
Durham, North Carolina
Black Wall Street is a nonprofit organization which hosting this annual event which draws big crowds and national attention. The event brings in community members, founders, entrepreneurs, and executives for a time of culture, history, and innovation. You might see some big names represented, such as Google, at their panels, parties, or concerts.
Tickets: Start at $75
Great list! The most appealing is the Harlem Arts Festival. Excited about that! :)
This is a great list! I am most interested in Harlem Arts Festival and AfroPunk.
Shahidah
http://www.blackgirlslearnlanguages.co
These are mostly entertainment events. Would love more networking business, social, political, technological events not associated with a festival or entertainment. Great way to meet people who share similar career and social goals v dance drinking and music similarities
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They are having an event in Las Vegas in September 2018 i think…