Black Heritage Celebration
This two-day celebration will showcase Black designers, artists, entertainers and businesses as they proudly display, engage and educate the community on the beauty and inspiration of Black culture.
Third Annual Black Heritage Celebration

We are excited to announce our third annual Black Heritage Celebration on May 6 & 7 from 10am-4pm! This two-day celebration will showcase Black designers, artists, entertainers and businesses as they proudly display, engage and educate the community on the beauty and inspiration of Black culture. This event is included with general garden admission.
Click Here to see the 2023 Event Schedule.
Vendor submissions are closed. Please contact us for upcoming vendor opportunities.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please fill out the form below.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 6, 2023
- 10am – 4pm Black-owned Vendor Market
- 10am – 12pm Cooking Demonstration with Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que
- 10am – 11:30am Clover the Violinist
- 11am – 12pm Shailaun – singer/songwriter/producer
- 12pm – 2pm Matthew Zion Babineaux, pianist
- 12pm – 1pm “Bold and Brilliant Fashion Show Comes to Life”
- 1pm – 5pm Designer booths open
- 2pm – 3pm Cooking Demonstration with Chef Whitney, famous for her soul food tacos
- 3pm – 5pm Don Diego Band
Sunday, May 7, 2023
- 10am – 2pm Children’s Celebration with activities for the young and young-at-heart
- 10am – 4pm Black Heritage Celebration Business Expo
- 10am – 4pm Black-owned Vendor Market
- 10am – 11am Cooking Demonstration with Chef Kevin Johnson of Taste by Chef Kevin
- 12pm – 12:30pm and 1pm – 1:30pm Fuller Nation Spoken Word
- 12:30-2:30pm Erskine Hawkins, pianist
- 2pm – 3pm Cooking Demonstration with Kevin the Pie Dude
- 3pm – 4pm Kevin Hawkins, The Voice Finalist
Bold and Brilliant Fashion Show & Showcase
Sponsored by: Ellis Kirk Group
Saturday, May 6
Fashion Show 12pm – 1pm | Fashion Showcase 1pm – 4pm
The Bold and Brilliant Fashion Show and Showcase is curated by Anita Hawkins and produced by Willie Johnson. Following the show, there will be a fashion showcase where attendees will have a chance to make purchases from fashion vendors.
Showcase Vendors: Shop B-Lux, House of Dasha, Shop J Bolin, Nicholas Moore, Borokinijabo, On The Verge, Papatutu, Faverd LLC and Mek Shades






Entertainment
Clover the Violinist | Saturday, May 6 10am – 11:30am
Stylishly blending classical instrumentation with a clear contemporary edge, Dallas-based violinist Clover elevates the traditional flavors of violin, with a refreshingly creative approach that consistently raises the bar.
Shailaun | Saturday, May 6 11am – 12pm
Shailaun is a model, actress, singer, songwriter and producer from Arlington, Texas who is best known for her charismatic performances in commercials, music videos , fashion shows, songs and concerts around the world. Embarking on her career in music, Shailaun released her debut solo album Spread Love in 2022 producing chart-topping singles “Peace” and “Spread Love.” She is now preparing to release her sophomore album “Me Time”, beginning with her reassuring single “Glowing.”
Don Diego Band | Saturday, May 6 3pm – 5pm
There’s only one man who can cover Chris Stapleton’s “Tenneesse Whisky,” roll right into Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” just before playing his original charting recording “Ago’s Jukejoint.” He is surely known for keeping the crowd moving all night by playing versatile and relevant music.
Don Diego has been traveling the world for the last thirty years serenading fans everywhere from corporate events to festivals.
The Fuller Nation | Sunday, May 7 12 – 12:30 pm & 1 – 1:30pm
The Fullers are a young family that inspires others to become who they were born to be through spoken word, music, speaking, and coaching. They’ve been married since 2015 and live in South Florida with two beautiful children, Sarai and Sire.
Kevin Hawkins, The Voice Finalist | Sunday, May 7 3pm – 4pm
Kevin Hawkins, North Texas native is a singer, songwriter and musician born and raised in the city of Lancaster, just outside of Dallas. His style is influenced by artists such as Beyoncé, Prince, John Legend, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder. Kevin was recently on NBCs hit show THE VOICE Season 22 making it all the way to the top 16.
Vendors
May 6 & 7 | 10am – 4pm
Goods
- 31:13 Ecofriendly Accessories
- Ada Textile Trunk
- Alison Woods Writes
- Amy Holly
- Arts for Science
- Ava Michele Jewelry
- Borokiniyabo
- Build Your Own Crown
- Cicelys Jazzy Art
- Concrete Dream
- Creteation
- D for Dapper
- Dawn Franklin Designs
- Eye Do Eyewear
- Gold Link Beard Company
- Gyasi Designs
- Hippie Adjacent
- John Osborn & Company
- Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub
- Mama Africas Apparel
- MLJ The Candle Boutique
- Nevaeh’s Bath and Beauty
- Sacred Heart Collection
- Samco World Imports
- SM Fashions
- Tyra J Studio
- Witty Kids
- Herbs Are Us
- Coffee Creek Media Group
Food
- 2 Bros Coffee
- Avery’s Savory popcorn
- Cibo Catering
- Coffee Creek Media Group
- Delectable Treats & Specialty Creations by Micralyn
- Drunknwangz
- Elite Food Giant Turkey Wings Food Truck ATP
- Granny’s Scratch Kitchen
- Herbs Are Us
- Just Good Cajun
- KC’s Experience
- Kravs pie
- Nana Dots Southern Sweets
- Native Brew
- Neighborhood Ice Cream Truck
- SIA Bakery
- Sugarlicouis
- The Good Water
- Vine Vegan
- Yatab Mandazi
- Zoe Marie Cookies
- Sno
- Mama LaVerne’s
Business Expo
May 7 10am – 4pm
- Grandmother of Juneteenth- Opal Lee
- The BrownStone Experience
- FAVR Lifestyle
- Nexhale
- Digital Marketing Maven and Associates
- Ezra Coffee Company
- Lux Essential Oils
- The Dallas Weekly
- Energy Gardens Terrariums
- New Village Braid
- The Zamore Foundation
- Wondry Wine
- Brass Tacks Collective
- Wholeness Health Lifestyle, LLC
- PELINDABA LAVENDER DALLAS
- Jim Austin Online
- Karen Jai Home
- The Pour Girl
- Texas Metro News/Garland Journal/IMessenger
- SB Realty Team
- Leah Heals
- Just Elope
- Cottrell No.7
- Elemental Yoga + Meditation Studio
- Clark’s Consulting Firm, LLC
- Manifest Your Purpose
- Cimone Key Creative Studio
- The Current See
- Werthing Foundation
- Bank of America
- Impact Ventures
- Southern Dallas Magazine
Children’s Activites

Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
Kelley Family Days | May 6 & 7
Thanks to a gift from the William G. Kelley Family, guests paying for general garden admission will also receive free entrance to the Children’s Adventure Garden during the Black Heritage Celebration.
Black Heritage in Opera and Music
Sunday • 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Malcolm Payne, a Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artist for the Fort Worth Opera, shares his musical passion in an upbeat, fun presentation.
Walne Family Discovery Lab
10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. • Exploration Center
Stomp Rockets featuring the works NASA’s Hidden Figures
OmniGlobe
Exploration Center
11 a.m. • OmniOutlook
2:30 p.m. • Starry Night
STEM Stops featuring the works of Black Scientists
12 p.m. • The Glade • Solar System Walk and Mae Jemison
1:30 p.m. • The Glade • Cookie Moon Cycles and Morgan Watson
3:30 p.m. • The Glade • Constellation Creation and George Carruthers
Little Adventurers Activities
Storytime
10:30 a.m. • First Adventure
More Than Peach by Bellen Woodard
Seed Planting
10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Exploration Center
Seed Planting featuring the work of Henry Blair

Children’s Celebration
Sunday, May 7 10am – 2pm | In-Kind Sponsor: Tendrils and Twigs
This years Black Heritage Children’s Celebration has plenty of fun for the whole family. Activities include children’s entertainment and spoken word; sounds by kid friendly DJ Moore; meet-and-greets with children’s book authors; mini makeovers; face painting; photo opportunities and Dallas Fire & Rescue’s Sparky the Dalmatian providing home and personal safety tips.
Confirmed 2023 Sponsors:
Bank of America (Presenting Sponsor)
ExxonMobil Corporation
Frost Bank
Anonymous
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-Alpha Xi Omega Chapter
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority–Chi Zeta Omega Chapter
Law Office of Camille Stearns Miller
Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center
Dr. Arlene J. Ford
The Dallas (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Impact Ventures
MR Civil Justice
McDonald’s
Capital One
Kanarys
Ellis Kirk Group
Kickoff Sponsor
Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
In-Kind:
House of Dasha
Tint School of Makeup & Cosmetology
Tendrils and Twigs
Media Sponsors:
The Dallas Weekly
Radio One
Southern Dallas Magazine
FAVR Lifestyle Magazine
Committee Members
Thank you to our committee members for your time and service to Black Heritage Celebration 2023
- Janet Jack, Chairperson
- Linda Todd, past Chairperson
- Crystal Alexander
- Megan Ames
- Crystal Armstrong
- Stephanie Calhoun
- Tanya De Vaughn
- Leah Frazier
- Marissa Horne
- Tiffaney Hunter
- Frances Ivery
- Mario Quintanilla
- Gloria Werthing Reynolds
- Michelle Rider
- Ashley Sutherland
- Adjowa Tyehimba
- Celia Walker
- ZL Williams
Host Committee
Thank you to our host committee for your support of Black Heritage Celebration 2023!
- Chad West, Mayor Pro Tem
- Jaime Resendez, Dallas City Council District 5
- Paula Blackmon, Dallas City Council District 9
- Adam McGough, Dallas City Council District 10
- Jaynie Schultz, Dallas City Council District 11
- Honorable Delia Jasso, Former Dallas City Council Member
- Fonya Mondell, Park and Recreation Board Member District 2
- Taylor Toynes, Park and Recreation Board Member District 3
- Daniel Wood, Park and Recreation Board Member District 7; Vice President
- Bo Slaughter, Park and Recreation Board Member District 8
- Maria Hasbany, Park and Recreation Board Member District 9
- Jeff Kitner, Park and Recreation Board Member District 11
- Calvert Collins-Bratton, Park and Recreation Board Member District 13
- Rudy Karimi, Park and Recreation Board Member District 14
- Arun Agarwal, Parks and Recreation Board Member District 15; President
- Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins
- Honorable Pauline Medrano, Dallas County Treasurer
- Nathan Johnson, Texas State Senator District 16
- Ana-Maria Ramos, Texas State Representative District 102
- Carl Sherman, Texas State Representative District 109