Legendary White Party 2026

ABFF Legendary White Party. ABFF this year, and every year is a time. A time where old friends gather, new friendships and connections easily form and where serendipity guides. While this year was the first year we didn't host The Epic Networking Party during ABFF, (and I initially had some trepidation regarding this) we chose to honor our commitment to be amongst visionary filmmakers, fellow creative entrepreneurs and providence was our guide. With the unexpected loss of my Aunt, and business transitions that weren't a closed chapter, it seemed too disorienting of a season, to continue business as usual. But God told me that there was a stillness and honoring to be found it, being in spaces that are fulfilling, not out of a desire to ignore transitions, but to honor the divinity in it.

Every action we took, affirmed that we were on the right path and that we were meant to be here. The first night we arrived in Miami, we met up with our friend Janvieve Naemani. Janvieve is a motivational speaker, author, and life coach who I had admired from a far for years. I had followed her online, and previously there were chance encounters, seeds planted of collaboration, that didn't happen. In 2023 the timing was right; she spoke of going to Miami or desiring to, and this was the year I was going to act on fulfilling The Epic Networking Party in Miami. It was a vision I had and held probably for 6 years before I finally took the leap of faith.

In 2023, we had our first Epic Networking Party in Miami, with Janvieve being 1 of our featured entrepreneurs. She secured a space for us to do the event, amongst a sea of minimum spends . And just like that we hosted and collaborated on the event together in a luxury hotel. We met Issa Rae, the night of the event in 2023, the same hotel serendipitously.

After having a mini reunion with Janvieve, at Watr an at The 1 Hotel South Beach, one of the spaces we had the event in previously, we walked together to Whole Foods. It was a long walk, where we had no agenda, just to connect, catch up and accompany our friend. Just like that, as we were about to say goodbye for now to Janvieve, we decided to go into Whole Foods, for cooking spray.

Just like that, I walked down the aisle, and stood face to face with Ronethia, a beautiful spirit I met and connected with on a layover in Texas to LA. I was in awe of her power. This beautiful Black woman, created her own space at the bar, Raheem and I happened to be at after a layover that was supposed to be 2 hours turned into 7 hours. We chopped it up about her journey with producing, and her dreams in filmmaking, what was happening at the festival this year and once again I new I was meant to be here.

Next we walked back to the hotel, and took an uber to a Carribean restaurant (Las Lap) Raheem found. I thought I was headed to a bashment take-out spot, because for this being our fourth year in a row spending time in Miami during ABFF, I had never been to a Carribean spot. We walked into a elegant space and met up with our friend Raven. Raven, was a featured entrepreneur at the Epic Networking Party in Miami last year. We spent some dope evenings, connecting supporting her brand Cinematic Sommelier and just being surrounded by her genius. Raven's curiosity, connection and spirit make every conversation feel divine.

Lastly, my husband Raheem earlier that day, said he wanted to get in contact with our friend Dru and see if he was in Miami. After 20 minutes into sitting with Raven I turn to the left, and it is none other than Dru, my ace and good friend from college. We stopped the yard, and made our college experience incredible. We were both pioneers, during a time where most might have been just getting along, Dru created innovative experiences one of which was bringing Ryan Leslie, a musical genius to CCSU well before he was discovered. We hosted a pilot program also for undeserved youth, to be exposed to college called the Higher Education Initiative. We walked over, and gave Dru the biggest hug, and again we knew we were meant to be there.. The feeling of being back home, surfaced. There is too much in one post, but for now, to summarize. If there is something that calls you about being at American Black Film Festival, no that you to, are meant to be here!