On Saturday, Aug. 16, FashionAFRICANA presented the first FashionAFRICANA KiDS Show at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. According to the creators Demeatria Boccella and Darnell McLaurin, the multimedia program was designed to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the African Diaspora through our youth and celebrate their own diverse beauty and talents through artistic and educational experiences.
The show featured young people from the ages of 2 to 13. The featured performers were The Bleil Brothers Quintet, Sankofa Village for the Arts and Gena y Calle Bomba. Pittsburgh native and actor Bill Nunn served as the emcee.
Since its inception in 2001, FashionAFRICANA has proven to be one of the region’s leading fashion and art organizations. Over the last 10 years, Boccella and McLaurin have assumed the unique task of placing African history and culture in a contemporary context, using the medium of fashion to broaden the standard of beauty. Guests enjoyed a delightful show featuring designers: THREEafrica, Kelly Lane Designs, Adey Designs and Kiya Tomlin Pittsburgh.