HOLLYWOOD, CA, (October 27, 2024) – “Art Melanated” founders Sol and Jennia Aponte, in partnership with “Nice Crowd” and ABFF founders Jeff and Nicole Friday, presented their inaugural “Black Art Empowerment Summit” at the luxurious London Hotel in Hollywood. This sold-out event celebrated Black artistry and offered insightful discussions on art collecting, investment, and making art ownership accessible.

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The summit was attended by notable figures such as Nika King (Euphoria), Vanessa Williams(Soul Food, The L Word), Melinda Williams, (Daddys Little Girls, Soul Food), and CCH Pounder(NCIS), who gathered with fellow creatives, art collectors, and advocates for a day of enrichment and inspiration. The program featured an esteemed lineup of moderators and panelists, including, Tavis Smiley, world renowned artists Ferrari Sheppard, Kevin Williams, and Harmonia Rosales, Grammy Award-winning producer Rikki Hughes, and wealth advisor Ayesha Selden and more. Together, they led dynamic conversations covering topics such as the business of art, the power of art collecting, appraisals, and diverse payment options that make art collection more accessible.

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The Black Art Empowerment Summit marks the first of many impactful events by “Art Melanated” and “Nice Crowd” to advocate for Black artists, promote investment in Black art, and foster inclusive representation in the art world.

We wanted to create an event that not only celebrates Black art but also empowers those involved to push boundaries and seize new opportunities,” says Jennia Aponte. “This summit is about bridging the gap between art, business, and culture while giving our community the tools to shape their own narrative.” ~Art Melanated founders, Sol & Jennia Aponte

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About Art Melanated
Art Melanated thrives at the vibrant intersection of art, community, and culture. Dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of artists of color, we provide a dynamic platform where diverse artistic expressions flourish, fostering meaningful connections between artists and their communities. Our core mission: ART + CULTURE + COMMUNITY = ART MELANATED. For more information about future exhibitions and Art Melanated’s mission, visit our website or follow us on social media artmelanated.com and @artmelanated on Instagram.

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About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD, formally known as ABFF Ventures – the company led by Jeff and Nicole Friday – is expanding event offerings to include events elevating comedy, food and Fine Art from BIPOC communities and individuals. Prior to its rebranding, ABFF Ventures has been the leading events entertainment company specializing in live experiences that showcase BIPOC culture and achievement. Nice Crowd founders, Jeff and Nicole, also created the American Black Film Festival and the ABFF Honors. Since its inception in 1997, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has become a cornerstone for diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. It premiered the work and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers, actors, writers and stand-up comedians and is recognized as a standard-bearer of excellence for Black creativity. The entertainment event and tourism company’s new name, Nice Crowd, emphasizes the power of gathering and will continue to be dedicated to highlighting BIPOC culture and achievements.

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Note to Editors:
Interviews are available upon request. The next Black Art Empowerment Summit is scheduled for Feb 2026 in Los Angeles.