Despite the Trump administration eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming and their threats to revoke federal funding from teaching parts of African American history, the annual MelaninCon from April 24-26 celebrates Black excellence, creativity and community power.
The annual conference brings together entrepreneurs, professionals, and artists for a multi-day experience rooted in leadership, innovation, and joy. From curated networking events to the highly anticipated “A Celebration of Us” gala, MelaninCon sets the stage for unity and upliftment — even in the face of adversity.
“The theme is unity for a lasting change,” MelaninCon founder Donovan Woodberry told The Washington Informer at the April 24 kickoff at The Gathering Spot in Northwest D.C. “With everything that’s going on with the administration and with everything going on within the community and worldwide, it’s important that we dig back into our community and uplift each other.”
From panels, workshops, and celebratory events throughout the District, MelaninCon not only offers a safe space to convene among other Black professionals, but also share ideas and create plans of action to navigate social and political challenges.
“From the conference, you get real speakers who are in the top of their field to give you action steps and action items so you can accurately be able to fight all the oppression that we have to deal with at this current time,” said Woodberry, who also founded The Posh Standard.
One of this year’s standout additions is an expanded health and wellness track, including insights from medical professionals and wellness leaders in the Black community.
“Based on looking at the agenda, this is what I’m into,” said Dr. Mary Roach, a licensed pharmacist and CEO of a faith-based nonprofit serving Ward 8 called the JJ Center. “I’m into the business and wellness aspects of the conference.”
Roach explained her work at JJ Center and hopes to take lessons from the conference back into the.
”In my organization, we feed the community, do health education with one-on-one and group counseling to use food as your medicine. Eating beets, for example, to dilate the blood vessels to prevent heart attacks,” said Roach, noting she hopes to take the lessons learned from MelaninCon to expand her nonprofit. “Especially the population who has diabetes — it is very devastating. We help them navigate the system for themselves or we go with them. We’ve had major success with cancer patients.”
Highlighting and networking with people like Roach is what MelaninCon is all about — showcasing the changemakers throughout the District and country, working to make Black communities stronger locally, nationally and worldwide.
The “A Celebration of Us” Gala at Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage in Northwest on April 26 will feature awards, fashion, and fun. But it’s more than a celebratory event; it’s a declaration that Black excellence is not a trend: it’s a movement, and it’s worth investing in.
“The gala is to celebrate local leaders in our community,” said Wooderry. “Everyone deserves a pat on the back at some point.”
Overcoming Obstacles Through Unity
While the annual MelaninCon has been a highly anticipated convening in the District for Black professionals nationwide, this year was particularly trying for the event’s founder, Woodberry.
“What is so different this year is the adversity. With the first one, everything that I wanted to happen happened kind of smoothly,” he said. “But this year everything was an obstacle.”
Due to political tensions and a sudden withdrawal of major funding, the MelaninCon team had to navigate unexpected staffing challenges and secure new venues at the last minute. Still, Woodberry and the team refused to cancel, noting the mission and reasoning behind the event is too important.
“Twenty-five days ago, the sponsor who was paying for our venue pulled out and said they were trying to stay in compliance with Trump’s executive orders. That was the money for the venue,” Woodberry told The Informer. “These past two weeks were about finding venues to switch and to accurately report that to the people who were coming out and already bought their tickets.”
The MelaninCon team thanks the community — volunteers, sponsors and more — for helping the event come to fruition despite this year’s particular challenges. While community help allowed the team to host the event, angel investors are still welcome — and needed — to help finish what has already begun.
Woodberry encourages African Americans to understand the importance of unity to overcome the obstacles of today.
“We take community for granted; we take being Black for granted. It’s a privilege. It’s a gift,” he said. “I put my all into that experience and I got what I needed out of it. God is good all the time.”
To support, volunteer, or donate to MelaninCon, email info@celebrationofus.org or go to celebrationofus.org.