On May 13, the Lincoln Center in New York City came alive as Black women and girls from across generations gathered for the eighth annual Black Girl Magic Ball that took place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The powerful celebration honored visionary leaders, cultural trailblazers, and creative pioneers, spotlighting the brilliance, resilience, and influence of Black womanhood through the lens of the arts, social justice, music and so much more.
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Founded by poet, author, and activist Dr. Mahogany L. Browne, this year’s Black Girl Magic Ball not only celebrated the strength and ingenuity of Black female excellence, but it also served as a powerful act of giving. The event doubled as a fundraiser for Urban Word NYC, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying youth voices through critical literacy and leadership development, with proceeds supporting community-driven organizations shaping a brighter future for Black youth.
The evening radiated elegance, energy, and unapologetic joy—from heartfelt tributes and inspiring speeches to dynamic performances by Shyvonne, Brooklyn’s AbunDance Dance Company, and NYC Youth Poet Laureate Kai Giovanni. Guests engaged with interactive installations by Good Mirrors and Le’ Grand Fleur, while DJ Pinkyy kept the energy high. The celebration wrapped with a joyful, high-spirited line dance, as everyone quite literally put their boots on the ground in a powerful display of unity and Black joy.
While chatting with MadameNoire for an exclusive interview before the event, Dr. Browne flashed a look of amazement as she reflected on how far Black Girl Magic Ball has grown since its inception—all stemming from her critically acclaimed 2013 poem-turned-illustrated book titled Black Girl Magic.
“Black Girl Magic was in conversation with the lineage of Black women poets that made it possible for us to be here: Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni and Jayne Cortez,” Browne explained of her vision of the ball. “I wanted to do a book release [at the time] that was less about the I and more about the we, and Black Girl Magic Ball was just this one-time event in my head. I thought it would be a great way to have a book release, have Black girls just show up and be celebrated for being themselves and examine what does it mean to look at other Black women in the community doing that work and highlight their efforts. And I said, ‘Oh, let’s give awards out too!’ One dream—now we’re going into our eighth year.”
Meet the powerful group of honorees.
The theme for this year’s Black Girl Magic Ball, “We Be the Future,” was a powerful affirmation of Black existence and imagination. In a time when the current political climate can feel hostile or dismissive toward Black lives, Browne said it’s critical now, more than ever, to build safe spaces where Black women and girls know that they not only belong, but are vital to the future.
Citing literary giants like Octavia Butler and Zora Neale Hurston, she pointed to the long-standing tradition of Black writers who envisioned futures where Black lives thrive, and thus year’s honorees embodied the true power of Black Girl Magic, demonstrating how it can inspire lasting, meaningful change across communities near and far.
Grammy-nominated singer Nona Hendryx, award-winning architect Pascale Sablan, and writer and philanthropist Rachel Cargle were among those celebrated for their fearless commitment to shaping brighter futures in their respective industries.
