DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE
2025 SEASON PROGRAMMING
3RD ANNUAL AFRICANISM GALA OFFICIAL VIDEO RECAP
Damon Young at the 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala
Commissioned by FashionAFRICANA, award-winning writer Damon Young reads his powerful “Love Letter to Black Women” live at the 3rd Annual AFRICANISM Gala, presented in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, November 8, 2025. This intimate moment from the Heinz Hall stage honors the beauty, brilliance, and resilience of Black women everywhere.
KIYA TOMLIN X DAMON YOUNG
Behind the Scenes: Creating the Kiya Tomlin x Damon Young “Love Letter” Sweatshirt
Where style meets storytelling.
Introducing an exclusive collaboration between designer Kiya Tomlin and award-winning writer Damon Young, created to honor, celebrate, and uplift Black women. This unisex sweatshirt features an intricately embroidered verse pulled from Young’s powerful written work, “A Love Letter to Black Women,” transforming language into wearable affirmation.
The silhouette reflects Kiya’s signature design language: a sculptural cowl neckline, gently gathered sleeve, and modern bubble hem, all rendered in her iconic bamboo-fleece blend and fully lined for a luxurious, cloud-soft feel against the skin.
Go behind the scenes of the making of this limited-edition piece, crafted in support of the AFRICANA Initiative, FashionAFRICANA’s arts and cultural education program empowering young Black creatives.
Unveiled at the Third Annual AFRICANISM Gala on November 8, 2025 at Heinz Hall, this collaboration merges fashion, artistry, and purpose—celebrating Black beauty, history, and the next generation of cultural leaders. Watch how it all came together — and buy your custom Love Letter sweatshirt today at our FA Shop!
2025 AFRICANA INITIATIVE SEASON PROGRAMMING!
Stay connected—join our mailing list today to get exclusive updates, event invites, and behind-the-scenes access to everything happening this season.
FashionAFRICANA Celebrates Black History Month with CBS Pittsburgh
CBS Pittsburgh visits FashionAFRICANA Studio in celebration of Black History Month. “Pittsburgh Black History is Now!” Demeatria Boccella, Executive Director, FashionAFRICANA
AFRICANA INITIATIVE
The AFRICANA Initiative is a FashionAFRICANA program dedicated to enriching arts and cultural education for middle and high school students. Our mission is to empower and inspire the next generation of young artists and cultural leaders, fostering a vibrant connection between Black creatives in the USA and Africa.
SIGNATURE & NATIONAL PROGRAMS:
FestivalAFRICANA
FashionAFRICANA Artist Residency Program
ARTSedAFRICANA
Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project
August Wilson New Voices
Next Narrative Monologue Competition
The Art of Design & Storytelling
FashionAFRICANA Speaker Series
Your support matters! If you'd like to make a donation, please scan the QR code. Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
FashionAFRICANA Introduction
In this video, FashionAFRICANA founder and executive director, Demeatria Boccella, shares her story and the origin of FashionAFRICANA - highlighting the work of the AFRICANA Initiative.
AFRICANISM Gala 2023
FashionAFRICANA's inaugural gala, AFRICANISM, was an event to remember. Held on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the gala was a celebration of African heritage and creativity. The event honored Tony-award winning costume designer, Paul Tazewell, renowned fine artist Charly Palmer and celebrated the work of Cameroonian Paris-based fashion designer, Imane Ayissi. The gala also featured amazing performances that left the audience in awe - all in support of a great cause, FashionAFRICANA’s program, the AFRICANA Initiative.
AFRICANISM GALA 2024
FashionAFRICANA warmly invites you to the second Annual AFRICANISM Gala, ‘Welcome Home’, an evening dedicated to celebrating the richness of African heritage and the brilliance of Black creativity. Join us for a vibrant night filled with beauty, culture, music, design, and community spirit!
Thursday, November 21, 2024
6:00PM VIP Awards Dinner
7:00PM Doors Open
FashionAFRICANA Studio
100 43rd Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
On Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Pittsburgh Public Theater - join us at AFRICANISM, FashionAFRICANA's Inaugural Gala, for a vibrant celebration of heritage and creativity!
The AFRICANA INITIATIVE is a program by FashionAFRICANA that empowers Black creatives through artists residencies, educational programming, and events in the USA and Africa. The AFRICANA INITIATIVE celebrates African craft and creativity through fashion, art, and education.
EXHIBITS
CEDRIC EXHIBIT
2022 FA EXHIBIT: MURINZI by Cedric Mizero at The Frick Museum
RUTH CARTER EXHIBIT
2018 FA EXHIBIT: Heroes & Sheroes: A Ruth E. Carter Retrospective at Heinz History Center, A Smithsonian Museum
PAUL TAZEWELL EXHIBIT
2016 FA EXHIBIT: COSTUMES of THE WIZ LIVE! The work of Paul Tazewell
HIGHLIGHTS
