Massey Auditorium | Botanic Hall
Storytime with Dorena Williamson | 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Dorena Williamson is a best-selling author of nine children’s books showing how differences are a delightful part of our humanity. She is a longtime bridge-builder and clergy in a multicultural faith community in Nashville. Her latest book, Every Breath, Every Blessing: Finding Hope on Tough Days, is being released on August 12.
Performance: Sankofa African Drum and Dance | 12 PM and 2 PM
Join Sankofa African Drum and Dance group for a heart-pounding performance featuring traditional African drumming and dance. Come prepared to be moved by the beat.
Special Program: Fashion Show | 3 PM
Come and see a special fashion presentation by local fashion brands Charles Lord and Ellenelle Bridal, and meet the respective designers, Charles Brown and Leah Langley-McClean. Browse and shop their collections of couture, ready to wear, and vintage apparel and accessories, as well as those of Threads by Dreads and The Creativity Bar. On display will also be the work of local visual artist, ArJae Thompson.
Models provided by Tribe Talent Management – Charika White, New Faces Director
Vendors | 9 AM – 5 PM
Charles Lord
Threads by Dreads
Ellenelle Bridal (1 – 5 PM)
The Creativity Bar
ArJae Thompson
Main Stage
Arboretum Lawn | 1 – 8 PM
Cheekwood and WNXP 91.1 FM are proud to present Black Women in Music. A dynamic and diverse lineup of local Black female songwriters, vocalists, and performers will take the stage throughout the festival to celebrate music, culture, and community.
Amber Ais | 1 – 1:45 PM
Amber Ais is an indie pop singer/songwriter. She aims to connect with listeners through her honest and relatable songwriting. She draws inspiration from artists like John Mayer, Julia Michaels, and Tori Kelly. Her lyrics are often described as genuine and like a page ripped from her own diary.
Kyleigh | 2:30 – 3:15 PM
With a sound that combines elements of R&B and alternative pop, Kyleigh has been writing songs featuring poignant and honest lyrics since she was 8 years old. R&B legends like Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, and Boyz II Men have shaped her style and influenced her sound.
Lizzie No | 3:45 – 4:30 PM
As a singer-songwriter, harpist, and guitarist, Lizzie No has established herself as one of the most exciting new voices in indie folk music. She has performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Americanafest, and South by Southwest, and classical arrangements of her songs have been performed at the Louisville Orchestra’s Festival of American Music and the Downtown Chamber Series.
SistaStrings | 5:30 – 6:15 PM
SistaStrings is a dynamic musical duo comprised of sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross. Their style features a blend of classical training, soulful melodies, and contemporary sounds. The Ross sisters are members of Brandi Carlile’s touring band and have performed with Joni Mitchell, Ed Sheeran, Maggie Rogers, Margo Price, Allison Russell, and Jason Isbell.
The New Respects | 7 – 8 PM
The New Respects is a family affair. The band consists of singer/guitarist Jasmine Mullen, her cousin, guitarist Zandy Mowry, and her brother, Darius Fitzgerald. They are part of the second generation of a successful musical family and were influenced by the gospel music they were surrounded by growing up. They will uplift audiences with their throwback pop-rock sound and catchy lyrics.
Arboretum Lawn
Community Activity with Destiney Powell | 9 AM – 4 PM
Nashville artist Destiney Powell has created a multigenerational piece in reference to the feeling of connection. Celebrate the women in your life by adding a petal, thread, or thought to this incredible artistic vision.
Art Activity: Learn about Augusta Savage | 9 AM – 3 PM
Across from Botanic Hall
Born in Florida in 1892, Augusta Savage began creating art as a child by using the natural clay found in her hometown. After attending Cooper Union in New York City, she made a name for herself as a sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance and was awarded fellowships to study abroad. Savage later served as a director for the Harlem Community Center and created the monumental work The Harp for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. She spent most of her later years in Saugerties, New York, before her death from cancer in 1962.
The Urbaanite Nashville Lounge | Beer Garden
6 – 8 PM
Note: 21+
Visit the Urbaanite Nashville Lounge powered by Bevmatic Brands for a fun and free cocktail tasting experience by African American owned spirits brands. Stick around for the evening’s headlining performance.
Frist Learning Center
Black Arts Bash Visual Art Exhibition: Faces of the Community
Artist Panel | 5:00 pm
The 2025 Fine Arts Exhibition will spotlight portraits, showcasing works by both emerging and established artists. Selected portrait submissions will be displayed alongside a photography exhibition created especially for Black Arts Bash by local artists DaShawn Lewis and Kimberly Manson.
