Sheryl Lee Ralph, Stephen A. Smith, Cam Newton Join CultureCon Lineup (Exclusive)

CultureCon is back in New York City — and packing the weekend full of stars.

The annual flagship festival already boasts an impressive list of sponsors, celebrity speakers and cultural leaders, having previously announced actors Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Ealy and Jesse Williams for its “biggest edition yet” from Oct. 4-5. 

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that The Creative Collective NYC, CultureCon’s creators, are adding new celebrity faces to the lineup. Abbott Elementary‘s Sheryl Lee Ralph, Grammy Award-winning 2 Chainz, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, among others are now on the list. 

Morris Chestnut, Ferg, Vic Mensa, Joey Bada$$, Etienne Maurice, Angela Rye, Crystal Reneé Hayslett and Ashley Nicole Moss also join the lineup.

These stars will take center stage for conversations at Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard Oct. 4 and 5, following five days of city-wide celebrations and workshops.

Since 2017, CultureCon has brought together Black tastemakers and cultural leaders from across the country. Last year’s CultureCon in Brooklyn united three icons, Questlove, Michelle Obama and Janelle Monáe for The Wonder of Stevie festival event.

CultureCon 2025 promises exclusive access to fireside chats and panels, recruiters at the Creative Careers Job Fair, shopping from Black-owned brands, as well as learning opportunities at their Culture and Creative stages. 

Following last year’s theme of “CultureCon Goes to Camp”, next weekend’s iteration will explore the theme of “Take Space: The New Frontier.”

The New Frontier encompasses “a world where every industry, every platform, and every opportunity is built with Black creativity at the center,” the CultureCon website reads.

The festival’s sponsors range from entertainment powerhouses to social media platforms and beverage brands.

Presenting partner Chase Ink is sponsoring a new program on business growth called the Founders Summit, while HBO Max will take to the Culture Stage with the cast of upcoming series IT: Welcome to Derry and Dove will bring an immersive photo and video booth experience to celebrate Black women.

People Inc. will be leading its own panel, titled “Claiming Space: Storytelling Across Beauty, Home, Travel & Beyond.” The conversation will feature powerhouse editors and producers from Byrdie, Brides, The Spruce, and Travel + Leisure.

For the reality TV aficionados, sponsor Bravo will bring some leading ladies from The Real Housewives of Potomac and Married to Medicine for a panel conversation titled “Black Women Shaping Reality TV,” featuring Gizelle Bryant, Dr. Wendy Osefo, Ashley Darby, Dr. Jackie Walters and Dr. Simone Whitmore.

Some other sponsors include Cricket Wireless, BET Media Group, Audible, Spotify, NFL and ESPN.

While the weekend is the main event, festivities will pop up throughout the city from Sept. 29 – Oct. 3. Click here for more information.