The Third Annual Baltimore MET Gala (BMG) will celebrate the best of Charm City in a multi-sensory, elaborate production taking place on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at The HALL – LIVE! Casino & Hotel Maryland. The theme is “Adam & Eve: Enter the Garden.”
Executive producers and culture creators LaRian Finney and Derrick Chase are the driving force behind the BMG, motivated by the desire to build and elevate local businesses and entrepreneurs through art and culture.
“The Finn Group has led major activations around the country, with Baltimore being our home base since 2000,” Finney said. “Our focus is to provide strategy and solutions to further develop businesses that have a mission for inclusion and economic impact, by being culturally sensitive, relevant, and tying directly to the vitality of the community.”
A cornerstone of the evening’s entertainment is the fashion show, auditions for which drew over 500 hopefuls from across the country to walk for the 11 BMG designers. 150 models were selected by Fashion Commission leads Jody Davis and Earle Bannister for the Fashion Experience, produced by Lana Rae.
“We know the rich pool of talent is here in the city, and that’s through all genres, particularly the arts, fashion and culinary scenes,” Chase said. “Drawing talent to the city to be part of the Baltimore Story, through this unique production, is a testament to the value we’ve created in the three short years of executing at a high level of excellence.”
The Art Experience, “Statement 2024,” was curated by Ernest Shaw, Ainsley Burrows, and Laurielle Noel. Twenty diverse artists from a record 90 applicants were selected for a coveted spot in the exclusive BMG avant-garde Art Exhibition.
Emphasizing the importance of the evening’s theme, designer Shajuan Finney said, “From the moment you step onto the Green Carpet, guests will be met with scents of florals, beauty of visual stories, and feelings of nature – transforming the space into an epic garden of entertainment for creatives and fashionistas.”
The culinary experience will by curated by Black Owned Restaurant Tour (BORT) creator, Azikiwe “Zik” DeVeaux. In “A Taste of the MET,” DeVeaux will spotlight the art in the cuisine of the nine restaurants selected to create sweet and savory bites for guests to enjoy.
Another major component of the Baltimore MET Gala is showcasing the the power of community and impact, reflected in the Community Impact and ICON Awards. Recipients will be recognized throughout the evening, for their “intentional efforts to empower and strengthen Baltimore’s image and mission to be the best city in America,” reads the press release.
2024 awardees include:
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS
- P. David Bramble, Managing Partner/Co-Founder | MCB Real Estate
- Edward “Ed” Evans, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion | Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
- Linzy Jackson, III, Director of External Partnerships | Office of the Mayor
- Susan J. Lee, Vice President of Diversity Partnerships | MOI
- Detra Neal, Sales Manager, Market, Mid-Atlantic | Kimball International
- Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson, Founder and CEO | Black Girls Vote
- Shelonda Stokes, President | Downtown Partnership of Baltimore
ICON AWARDS
- Jerry Prettyman, Prettyman Gallery Global | Artist ICON Award
- Dr. Lance London, Chairman and CEO, Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill, and NéVetica | Culinary ICON Award
- Toni James, Katwalk Boutique Corporation| Fashion ICON Award
- Travis Winkey, Travis Winkey Studios| Fashion ICON Award
A portion of the proceeds from the 2024 Baltimore MET Gala will benefit Black Girls Vote (BGV), a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring Black Girls to use the political process to improve the quality of life for their families and the collective community.
For ticketing and other information, click this link.
