American Express presented a unique experience at the intersection of food, art, and culture during Miami's art week. The four-day pop-up in the Design District brought together some of the best Black chefs, artists, and cultural figures from around the country to create a powerful celebration of diversity and inclusion. Michelin and James Beard award-winning chefs featured their culinary masterpieces, while visual artists and musical performers provided an atmosphere of cultural vibrancy. Phillip K. Smith also graced the event and debuted Garden of Reflections, an original site-specific art installation commissioned for Resy and American Express' Design District pop-up.

This event was part of American Express' ongoing commitment to supporting underrepresented communities, creating opportunities for diverse voices to be heard, and celebrating all forms of artistic expression. Attendees experienced the beauty and power of culture as they came together to celebrate richness and diversity. The event included a variety of lively activities, including cooking demonstrations, art installations, live performances by renowned musicians, and much more. It was truly an opportunity to immerse yourself in the celebration of culture and experience unique talent, flavors, and experiences that make this community so special. 

Featured Artists

At the American Express event, attendees met and interacted with some of the most talented visual artists. They learned about their creative processes, got a behind-the-scenes look at their works of art, and took home a piece of Miami's vibrant culture.

Here are some of the amazing artists that were featured:

Adrian Brandon

Hailing from Seattle and now based in Brooklyn, multimedia artist Adrian Brandon's work strives to further the narrative of the African American experience by exploring topics such as honor, tranquility, and demonstration. He encourages meaningful conversations that look beyond cultural distinctions.

Brandon's artwork unveils the injustices of our current world. Fueled by biking, his upcoming mixed media piece on canvas combined various mediums such as photography, pastels, paint, ink, and graphite - all accompanied by a matching poly-satin scarf. It is sure to impress anyone who sees it!

Sabrena Khadija

Sabrena Khadija, a Sierra-Leonean American Illustrator based in DC, takes pride in producing artwork that helps others feel seen and inspired. Working with large canvases and various types of media such as paint, gold leaf, glassware, and more, Sabrena brings her stunning creations to life. As a Black Non-Binary creative, they strive to make an impact through their art.

Gianni Lee

Gianni Lee is a multidisciplinary visual artist who has mastered the art of combining various mediums such as painting, drawing, and photography to create post-apocalyptic yet futuristic works. His fashion designs and musical scores are equally impressive; they have been featured in galleries around the world!

For this special collaboration, Lee created an extraordinary pair of jeans with his renowned and intricately embroidered skeleton design. The look was inspired by the street art he's seen in cities like Paris, London, Bulgaria, New York City, and Cuba.

Summary

American Express hosted an event in Miami to celebrate the intersection of food, art, and culture with a pop-up in the Design District headlined by Michelin and James Beard award-winning chefs. Attendees had the chance to experience an unforgettable cultural celebration and get a taste of unique talent, flavors, and experiences from some of the best Black chefs, artists, and musicians. 

Notable artists included Phillip K. Smith III, Adrian Brandon, Sabrena Khadija, and Gianni Lee, who all brought their creative works to life for the event. American Express continues to show its commitment to underrepresented communities by celebrating the richness and diversity of our cultures.

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We look forward to celebrating Black culture with American Express once again. Stay tuned for more details!