CultureCon 2024 kicked off early this year with a series of events throughout the week leading into the main conference this past weekend. In partnership with Amazon Prime Video’s Culture Rated, CultureCon invited top Black creatives, content creators and journalists for an exclusive screening of the upcoming series Cross, premiering on November 14.
The crime thriller, starring Aldis Hodge, follows Detective Alex Cross as he uses his psychological expertise to thwart crime in Washington, D.C., all while healing from personal loss.
EBONY joined the festivities by anchoring the Prime Video co-branded DJ booth, spinning vinyl classics all night to set the mood. As guests mingled, they were treated to signature cocktails featuring EBONY-branded ice cubes, creating the perfect atmosphere ahead of the conference. The evening kicked off at the popular NeueHouse social club in New York City, where attendees were invited into a private screening theater. There, they enjoyed popcorn, snacks and a surprise appearance from lead actor Hodge.
Hodge expressed his gratitude to creator and showrunner Ben Watkins for the opportunity to bring the character to life, noting that Watkins is the first Black person to helm the Cross narrative for television. “It’s instrumental when it comes to authenticity and storytelling, and Amazon just let this brother run with it—and he did a beautiful job,” Hodge remarked, praising Watkins’ world-building. He also gave a nod to Prime Video for its support of Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera. With the show set in Washington, D.C.—fondly known as “Chocolate City” for its rich Black culture—Hodge playfully reminded the audience to tune in again on November 14, which generated warm and enthusiastic responses from the crowd.
Following the pilot episode, guests were served EBONY cocktails and guided to the main venue area for the Culture Rated after-party. DJs K Brissy and Nafis B played vinyl sets featuring a mix of current hip-hop and R&B hits alongside throwbacks from icons like Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Public Enemy and Nas. The vibe was perfect, with people dancing yet still able to connect and engage in meaningful conversations.
Guests could also explore the venue, which included a set reminiscent of Detective Cross’s interrogation room—primed for photo ops and fun content moments. Elsewhere, there was an official Culture Rated environment designed to look like a park, complete with real shrubbery and a cozy couch for posing, all set against a Prime Video backdrop.
The event served as the ideal precursor to the high-energy CultureCon festival. The two-day event featured fashion moguls like June Ambrose and Law Roach, and stars such as Yara Shahidi, Tyler James Williams and Morris Chestnut took the CultureCon stage to inspire the next generation of creative architects and entrepreneurs. With jam-packed programming, panels and statement-making outfits, CultureCon 2024 was a celebration of Black excellence and innovation.
