CultureCon just added some serious star power to its 2026 lineup. Michael B. Jordan is set to take the stage at this year’s event, running October 3 and 4 at the Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, joining fellow additions Aaron Pierre, Wale, and Tobe Nwigwe.
Jordan’s appearance comes off the heels of a major year for the actor, who took home an Oscar earlier in 2026 for his performance in Sinners and is currently gearing up for the release of The Thomas Crown Affair, which he directed, produced, and stars in. Pierre, currently starring in DC’s Lanterns, and rappers Wale and Nwigwe round out the new names, joining an already stacked lineup that includes John Legend, Mahershala Ali, Colin Kaepernick, Olandria Carthen, Niecy Nash-Betts, Miles Caton, Daniel Kaluuya, Danessa Myricks, Rajah Caruth, Scott Evans, and Sherri Shepherd.
The additions land as CultureCon builds toward its biggest year yet under this year’s theme, “Museum of Us,” a celebration of the people actively shaping culture right now rather than waiting on retrospective recognition. Founder and CEO Imani Ellis has said the goal this year goes beyond inspiration alone, with a sharper focus on what attendees walk away with. “Did you meet someone who changes the trajectory of your career? Did you learn something that helps you negotiate your next deal or build your business differently?” she said. “I want you to leave full, not just inspired.”
Programming spans entertainment, business, sports, art, and culture, with panels and activations designed to spotlight the next generation of creatives. Among this year’s standout sessions: Audible’s “Beyond the Playbook: Colin Kaepernick on The Perilous Fight,” featuring the NFL star himself; Lincoln’s “Flow State: Rest as a Creative Strategy,” with Joshua Kissi, Brittney Janae, and Nneka Julia of the Lincoln Creator Collective; Cricket Wireless’ “Stand Out: Building Visibility on Your Terms,” bringing together top creators to break down how they’ve built brands that cut through the noise; and an HBO Max lounge celebrating the final season of Lanterns with community conversations and immersive photo moments.
New this year, the festival is partnering with Black Girl Art Show and Black Boy Art Show to spotlight emerging Black artists, along with Literature and Libations, which brings a curated book selection and author meet-and-greets to the weekend. The festival footprint is also expanding with a new campus space housing the Braindate, Career Lounge, Small Business Marketplace, and Creative Business Stage, all built around career growth, mentorship, and professional development, alongside expanded versions of returning staples like the Founder Summit and Creator Summit.
Ahead of the main event, CultureCon Week runs September 28 through October 2, packed with exclusive dinners, screenings, and community gatherings across New York City in partnership with CultureCon’s brand partners.
This year’s presenting sponsor is Chase Ink, with additional partners including Cricket Wireless, Lincoln, HBO Max, Audible, TikTok, Google, Pinterest, DAZN & TNT Sports, Amazon Prime Video, Grey Goose, Universal Music Group, Meta, ESPN, Bravo, Coca-Cola, and dozens more spanning media, beauty, tech, and lifestyle brands.
Tickets for CultureCon NYC 2026, running October 3 to October 4, are available now at CultureConCollective.com.