The fifth annual Juneteenth Fashion Show, presented by Legacy West and produced by Think Three Media, returned to the Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall on June 19 for an unforgettable evening celebrating Black culture, fashion and community. Despite heavy rain earlier in the day, more than 800 attendees from across North Texas—and as far away as neighboring states—filled the venue for one of the region’s signature Juneteenth celebrations.
This year’s theme,”Ubuntu: Together, We Are – Together, We Rise,” came to life through 13 designer collections, vibrant cultural storytelling, music from across the globe, and moments of collective joy—from runway presentations to crowd-wide line dancing. Rooted in the African philosophy meaning “I am because we are,” Ubuntu served as the foundation for an experience that celebrated shared humanity, heritage and the enduring power of community.
The evening honored not only the achievements and contributions of African Americans, but also the rich cultural influence of the global African diaspora in one unified expression of pride, creativity and resilience.
A portion of the proceeds benefited The African Think Tank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together Africans and friends of Africa to create lasting impact through community, business and cultural initiatives.
“This year’s fashion show was beyond anything I could have imagined and, quite frankly, the best in all five years,” said Leah Frazier, CEO of Think Three Media. “It felt like one big family reunion—celebrating, connecting and enjoying every moment together. The designers were exceptional, the models were phenomenal, the entertainers were flawless, and Cupid ‘The Line Dance King’ completely electrified the after-show. This event was, simply put, for the culture.”
The milestone event was hosted by veteran media personality Lady Jade alongside comedian Michael Shawn, who kept the audience entertained throughout the evening. Multi-platinum recording artist Cupid, known as “The Line Dance King,” delivered an energetic performance featuring fan favorites including “Flex,” “The Cupid Shuffle,” “The Cookout”, and many others, transforming the venue into one massive dance floor.
Fitness influencer Olivia Ibezim of Workout OliviasWays and her line dancing crew joined Cupid during intermission and the after-show celebration, inviting attendees of all ages to dance together in a joyful display of community.
Pre-show festivities were hosted by Carter G. Rich and featured performances from Jelly Bean, Kkeeyz and Ashley Kaee. Dr. DJ Mack provided the soundtrack throughout the evening, while Mxck Music delivered a special live rock performance of Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away”.
The fashion show opened with a stirring rendition of the Black National Anthem performed by Ashley Kaee and Kkeeyz as newly crowned Miss Juneteenth DFW, Iyana Schuman, walked the runway carrying the Juneteenth flag.
Legacy West opened the runway presentation with a Formation-inspired performance styled by official Legacy West stylist Kristen Briggs, and choreographed by Leah Frazier. The custom hats featured in the opening were designed by Nyilah McDaniel, a college student and previous recipient of the Juneteenth Fashion Show Scholarship.
This year’s designer lineup reflected a dynamic blend of established talent and emerging voices, including:
- Tangwa by 15-year-old designer Dacyn Mofor
- House of Dasha
- Deirdre Hardin
- Indigo 1745 Collective
- Military Glam by Katrice Thompkins
- Black Menswear
- Kish Me
- Annia Louisa Resortwear
- Saint Lamo
- DY Work
- House of E. Keyes
- Crossed Hats by Mahiri Takai
- Marta Ruiz
Highlights included Deirdre Hardin’s handcrafted copper wearable art, Indigo 1745 Collective’s fusion of Black rock aesthetics with African couture, Saint Lamo’s cinematic Sinners-inspired collection, Annia Louisa Resortwear’s debut of its 2026 swim and resort collection, and House of E. Keyes, whose designer traveled from Mississippi to participate.
During the program, Akwete Tyehimba, co-owner of the Pan-African Connection, received the Juneteenth Fashion Show Legacy Award, presented by Deba Douglas, in recognition of her decades of service preserving Black history, culture and community through one of Dallas’ most beloved cultural institutions.
Celebrity models included Kamri Brown, philanthropist and leader with the Dallas Wings; community luminary Jade Tinner; and Anita Hawkins (Real Housewives of Atlanta, Author, Philanthropist & more). Among the notable guests in attendance were celebrity makeup artist Erica Smith; City of Plano Mayor John B. Muns; Super Bowl champion Isaiah Stanback; Southern Dallas Magazine publisher James Thomas; entertainer and vocalist Lala Johnson; and many other distinguished leaders, creatives and influencers from across North Texas, underscoring the event’s growing reputation as one of the region’s premier Juneteenth celebrations.
Guests also explored a marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses before the show and during intermission, including Puzzles of Color, Five Eleven Collection, Kish Waist Beads, Kodesh Leolam, DY Work, Purplelis Jewelry, Loop the Luxe and C Jazzy Art.
The evening concluded with one of its most memorable moments as models, designers and participants returned to the runway waving flags representing countries throughout Africa and the Caribbean—a colorful tribute that beautifully embodied the spirit of Ubuntu and the interconnectedness of the African diaspora.
“This show was top ten as far as energy,” said multi-platinum recording artist Cupid after the event. “Dallas, I’ll be back.”
Think Three Media extends its sincere appreciation to presenting sponsor Legacy West; premier sponsor Comerica Bank; community and Legacy Award sponsor Deba Douglas; Smokey John’s BBQ; J3 Productions and Willie Johnson; Luxury Mobile Experience; Stemme Floral; Cosign Studios; SweetBeat Vodka; the city of Plano and Mayor Muns; the African American Museum of Dallas; and Dallas Black Bloggers for helping make the fifth annual Juneteenth Fashion Show a resounding success.
