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Founded in 2019 by Pamela Zapata, Society18 is an LA-based talent agency with a “specialized focus on multicultural and multiethnic content creators.” They also create elevated experiences for brands. The client roster includes Alyssa Marie, Charlize Glass, Crystal Obasanya, Bri Hall, and Shatimah Monaé Photography

The other rooms were aglow from elegant white candles in glass vases. Wherever you stood, it was a celebration.

The creator economy has presented a major opportunity for Black people, but that opportunity has brought complications with it. For a long time, there was a lack of representation in the industry. Now professionals are stepping into the gap to protect and empower the creators.

Black creators are systemically undervalued, according to research from MSL U.S. and The Influencer League. Vanity metrics, outdated standards, and vague criteria are used to justify that. Society18 differentiates itself by committing to “delivering results beyond analytics.”

They opened the event to the public, offering the opportunity to RSVP to the mixer to their Instagram followers, demonstrating the type of inclusion many are calling for in the industry. Oversized custom Jenga blocks encouraged guests to mingle with people they were unfamiliar with by joining in on active games.

The guest list also taught a masterclass in personal >New York Fashion Week. They intentionally sent messages with their ensembles. Several wore Black-owned handbags, using their accessories to toss a nod to the night’s theme of Black excellence. Several Kendrick Trunk bags from Brandon Blackwood piled up on the bar at one point.

One guest sported a chic red hat that boldly declared, “We Need More Black Millionaires.”

The looks were on trend. Crystal-embellished stockings beneath short suits. Floor-length houndstooth dresses. Mustard suits, floral corsets and fur coats. Braided bangs, blonde brows, scarlet crotchet buns,glossy units and natural strands held it down on the beauty front.

Shatimah Monaé Photography

Notable attendees at the event included jewelry designer and life decoding=”async” src=”https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/02/SMP_8059_websize.jpg” alt=”During NYFW, A Room Full Of Creators Celebrating Black Excellence Was The Place To Be” width=”400″ height=”266″ />Shatimah Monaé Photography

There was a jewelry-making station featuring charm bracelets from Electric Picks. Attendees explored the trinket options, including delicate crystal crosses, tiny airplanes, initials, and hearts.

Photo booths featuring oxblood and ruby drapery decorated the space. Pairs emerged clutching photo strips of their pictures with a new friend they made at the networking event.

Society18 social media reps handed out beautiful long-stemmed roses to guests, giving them their flowers on the spot. Another effort from the agency to elevate creators in a world that doesn’t always place the proper weight on what their talents bring to it.

TOPICS:  Content Creators nyfw

The post During NYFW, A Room Full Of Creators Celebrating Black Excellence Was The Place To Be appeared first on Essence.

Author: Victoria Uwumarogie

Read the original article on Essence.