Season Five Celebrates “Mahogany — A Tribute to Diana Ross,” Bringing Together Fashion, Art, Culinary Excellence and Community Impact

BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore MET Gala (BMG) returns for its landmark fifth season with the announcement of its 2026 Culture Awards Honorees and Choo Smith Youth Empowerment (CSYE) as this year’s official beneficiary. 

Taking place on Saturday, August 29 at The Hall at LIVE! Casino & Hotel Maryland, the BMG continues its mission of celebrating the visionaries, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who shape culture and create opportunities to invest in the next generation. 

Produced by the Curators of Culture, LaRian Finney (The Finn Group) and Derrick Chase (Chase Executive Holdings), the BMG has become one of the region’s premier cultural experiences, blending luxury, creativity, philanthropy, and storytelling into a signature annual celebration. 

This year’s theme, “Mahogany — A Tribute to Diana Ross”, draws inspiration from the iconic film and the legendary entertainer whose influence transcends generations. Through fashion, visual art, culinary experiences, and live entertainment, the 2026 presentation celebrates the elegance, resilience, ambition, and artistic excellence that continue to define Black culture. 

“As we celebrate five years of the Baltimore MET Gala, we’re proud to recognize individuals whose creativity and leadership continue to elevate our communities,” said LaRian Finney, Executive Producer and Managing Partner of The Finn Group. “This year’s honorees and our beneficiary, Choo Smith Youth Empowerment, embody the spirit of the Baltimore MET Gala—celebrating culture with purpose.” 

2026 Baltimore MET Gala Culture Awards 

A signature moment of the evening, the Baltimore MET Gala Culture Awards honor extraordinary individuals whose influence continues to shape industries, inspire communities, and leave a lasting cultural legacy.

2026 IMPACT + ICON HONOREES 

● Demont “Peekaso” Pinder | IMPACT Culture Award 

● Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper (Owner, Afro Newspaper) | Media ICON Award

● Brandon “Bleecasso” Lee | Unsung ICON Award 

● Yeiboh Kitchen (Owners, Ashlee Mack and Adeirdra Campbell)| Culinary ICON Award 

● Nancy Blackwell (Owner, Quid Nunc Art Gallery)| Artist ICON Award

● Kevin Scott (Owner, Benedetto Haberdashery)| Fashion ICON Award 

Together, these distinguished honorees represent the creativity, innovation, leadership, and service that continue to define Baltimore's vibrant cultural landscape. 

2026 BENEFICIARY

Choo Smith Youth Empowerment Inc. 

The Baltimore MET Gala is proud to name Choo Smith Youth Empowerment Inc. (CSYE) as the 2026 beneficiary. 

“Empowering young people means helping them see possibilities beyond their current circumstances. We’re honored to be this year’s beneficiary and grateful that the Baltimore MET Gala continues to shine a light on organizations like Choo Smith Youth Empowerment. This recognition helps amplify our mission and creates opportunities to inspire confidence, creativity, and purpose in the lives of the young people and families we serve." – Charles “Choo” Smith, Founder, Choo Smith Youth Empowerment Inc. 

The Mahogany Experience 

Guests will experience a series of curated activations celebrating Baltimore’s creative excellence. 

THE RUNWAY | Fashion Experience 

Curated by Lana Rae, It’s Lana Rae 

STATEMENT 2026 | Art Experience 

Curated by Nancy Blackwell, Quid Nunc Art Gallery 

TASTE OF THE MET | Culinary Experience 

Curated by La Chow and Greater Baltimore Urban League, special guest - Chef Dash

Each experience showcases the extraordinary talent, innovation, and artistry that continues to position Baltimore as a destination for culture and creativity. 

For event information, tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and the latest announcements, visit BaltimoreMETGala.com. Media interested in covering the BMG may apply for credentials at bit.ly/BMG26MediaCredentials. 

ABOUT THE BALTIMORE MET GALA 

Since its debut in 2022, the Baltimore MET Gala has grown into one of the region’s premier celebrations of culture, creativity, and community impact. Over the past five seasons, the experience has welcomed more than 4,000 guests across three iconic venues—the Baltimore Museum of Art, M&T Bank Exchange, and The Hall at Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland. The BMG has featured more than 100 fashion designers, visual artists, and culinary professionals, along with more than 500 runway models, creating a platform that celebrates Baltimore’s creative economy and the individuals shaping its cultural future. 

Baltimore MET Gala 

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The Finn Group 

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Media Contact 

Ritza Yana 

R.Y.Ink! | The Finn Group 

202.596.7439 | [email protected]