Lynn Whitfield, Jeremy Haynes, and Michi Meko to Be Honored at NBAFâs 20th Anniversary Fine Art + Fashion Benefit
The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its signature Fine Art + Fashion benefit. This celebration is in collaboration with Neiman Marcus and Greenberg Traurig LCC. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:00 PM at the Atlanta History Center.
This milestone evening will honor three distinguished cultural leaders:
- Lynn Whitfield, recipient of the Cultural Icon Award
- Jeremy Haynes, recipient of the Style Architect Award
- Michi Meko, recipient of the Radcliffe Bailey Excellence in Visual Arts Award
Guests will experience an immersive evening featuring a curated exhibition of student art from the NBAF NextGen program. There will also be a seated dinner with premium beverages, live music, and a runway presentation showcasing a curated assortment from Neiman Marcus. Furthermore, the evening will also include the presentation of student scholarships recognizing excellence in both visual art and fashion design.
Now in its 20th year, Fine Art + Fashion remains a premier cultural event. It brings together leaders in art, fashion, and philanthropy for a night that celebrates creativity, legacy, and impact.
About the Honorees
A seven-time NAACP Image Award winner and Emmy Award-winning actress, Lynn Whitfield has built a celebrated career defined by elegance, depth, and cultural influence. Moreover, from iconic roles in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Madeaâs Family Reunion, and The Josephine Baker Story, to standout performances in Greenleaf, The Chi, and How to Get Away with Murder, Whitfieldâs presence continues to shape both film and fashion with enduring grace and sophistication.
Jeremy Haynes is a visionary wardrobe stylist and creative director whose work sits at the intersection of culture, fashion, and storytelling. He is known for crafting defining looks for artists such as Mary J. Blige, Usher, Ari Lennox, Ne-Yo, and Missy Elliott. In addition, Haynes extends his expertise into full-scale creative direction. He shapes visual identities across red carpets, editorial campaigns, televised appearances, and global stage productions.
Michi Meko is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the African American experience within public and natural landscapes. Through painting and sculpture, he examines themes of navigation, survival, and presence. Moreover, he is a recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant and the Atlanta Artadia Award. His work is held in prominent collections including the High Museum of Art (Atlanta). It is also at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Ruby City in San Antonio.
Supporting the Next Generation
Proceeds from Fine Art + Fashion support NBAFâs year-round programming, including arts education initiatives that serve emerging artists of all ages. Most importantly, the focus is on underserved youth of African descent.
During the evening, NBAF will also recognize winners of the 2026 Fashion Forward Student Design Competition and the NextGen Visionary Artist Competition. These programs provide young creatives with financial support and professional exposure. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to showcase their work during the benefit and within Neiman Marcus Atlanta.
NBAFâs Fine Art + Fashion is made possible through the support of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Neiman Marcus, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific, and additional partners. The event also receives media sponsorship from The Atlantan, and WABE.
For more information or to reserve tickets, visit nbaf.org/fine-art-fashion.
About NBAF
The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) is a nonprofit cultural institution with a longstanding legacy of producing exceptional artistic and educational programming across music, dance, film, visual arts, theater, and literature. NBAF is celebrated both nationally and internationally. It is one of the nationâs oldest multidisciplinary arts organizations dedicated exclusively to the work and advancement of artists of African descent. Through its annual programs, world-class performances, commissioned works, and youth arts education initiatives, NBAF delivers dynamic and enriching cultural experiences to diverse audiences around the globe.
About Lynn Whitfield
Lynn Whitfield is an Emmy Award-winning actress and Golden Globe nominee, widely recognized for her powerful portrayal of Josephine Baker in HBOâs The Josephine Baker Story. She is a four-time NAACP Image Award winner. She is also celebrated for her role as Lady Mae Greenleaf in the critically acclaimed OWN series Greenleaf, executive produced by Oprah Winfrey.
Whitfieldâs extensive film and television career includes standout performances in Eveâs Bayou, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Madeaâs Family Reunion, Stepmom, and Head of State. Along with these, she appears in How to Get Away with Murder, Boston Public, and Without a Trace. Also, she is a graduate of Howard University and she began her career in theater. She performed in off-Broadway productions and acclaimed stage works, including For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Whitfield remains a defining figure in film and television. She is known for her elegance, depth, and enduring cultural impact.
About Jeremy Haynes
Jeremy Haynes is a celebrated wardrobe stylist and creative director known for shaping some of the most compelling visual narratives in contemporary culture. Haynes is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. He blends technical expertise with instinctive creativity to deliver impactful, story-driven styling.
His portfolio spans major editorial covers, high-profile red carpets, and live performances, reflecting a signature approach that merges fashion, culture, and identity. As his influence continues to grow, Haynes remains committed to cultivating meaningful collaborations. He is also evolving his creative vision across fashion and entertainment.
About Michi Meko
Michi Meko is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the complexities of the African American experience within both public and natural landscapes. Furthermore, he holds a BFA in Painting from the University of North Alabama.
Mekoâs work has been exhibited nationally, including solo and group exhibitions at Susan Inglett Gallery (New York), Kavi Gupta (Chicago), the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, Atlanta Contemporary, and the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum. Moreover, his practice continues to push boundaries through immersive, narrative-driven works. He examines movement, survival, and space.
Click here for tickets Fine Art + Fashion 2026 â NBAF
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