During the height of Milan Fashion Week, the Teatro Manzoni became the stage for the 2025 Black Carpet Awards, an evening devoted to celebrating individuals who are reshaping the creative industries through inclusivity, cultural exchange, and innovation. Now in its third edition, the event is organized by the Afro Fashion Association and held with the support of the City of Milan and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. This year also carried special weight, marking the tenth anniversary of the Association itself.
The ceremony drew international icons, with Naomi Campbell lending her presence as godmother of the event. Guiding the program was Tamu McPherson, whose role as host balanced sophistication with authenticity, making sure the night resonated as more than just an award show. Winners were announced in five categories, each recognizing a different area of impact. Cultural innovators, creative visionaries, entrepreneurs, community builders, and those preserving legacies of inclusivity were all honored. Each category named two honorees, one selected by a distinguished jury and another by public vote, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the awards. A special tribute was also made in memory of curator Koyo Kouoh, whose groundbreaking work in contemporary African and diasporic art continues to inspire.
Adding to the momentum, the program unveiled The New Wave, a short film that introduced ten rising talents from across the world. Their work reflected the future of creative industries,bold, diverse, and uncompromisingly original. Founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo reminded guests in her remarks that celebrating difference is more than symbolic, it creates access, opportunity, and collective strength. Her words echoed the mission of the Afro Fashion Association, which since its creation has worked to uplift underrepresented voices while fostering dialogue across cultures.
Now firmly established as one of Milan Fashion Week’s most meaningful events, the Black Carpet Awards have grown into a global platform that elevates talent, honors visionaries, and redefines what true leadership in fashion and the arts can look like.
To learn more go to blackcarpetawards.com and afrofashion.org.
