African Arts Academy

General admission seating is first come first serve, early bird, beverages can be purchased additionally with vendors. Ticket price may go up as we get closer to event date, based on availability. Parking included.

General Admission

General admission includes dinner and one drink. This ticket tier qualifies for a group discount of 10 people per table at $1000. This discount is only good up  to June 12th. Parking included.

Champion Suporter

VIP dedicated seating area, food included plus one drink. Based on availability, ticket price may go up as we get closer to event date. This ticket is per individual, includes parking.

Patron

Dedicated reserved VIP gala dinner reception, all access to the event including fashion show, entertainment, premium front row seating, special Getty Images photoshoot on red carpet and in front of Step & Repeat, mingling with special guests. Must have a group of five people for this ticket tier. Based on availability, ticket price may go up as we get closer to event date. Designated valet parking.

Exclusive VIP Dinner Reception

Check made out to [African Arts Academy]
Address to send check: [145 9th Street, Suite 208, San Francisco, CA 94103]

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;display:inline-block;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name , Thank you for registering for our event and supporting our cause. Your registration greatly helps our mission. 🚀 If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer, or talk to your friends about our cause! Leye Martinafricanartsacademy@gmail.com

🎉 Exciting News!We are thrilled to announce our 13th annual SF MODEFA (San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week Gala), hosted by African Arts Academy, happening on Sunday, June 15th, 2025, at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, located at 1111 Gough Street, SF, CA 94109. Join us on this special Father’s Day for an unforgettable celebration of International Ethnic Day and Juneteenth, featuring a vibrant fashion runway show, vendor pop-up, people’s choice beauty pageant, community engagement, succulent exotic food, business networking, and a thought-provoking panel on the intersection of arts, culture, and technology. CONFIRMED ATTENDEES:The Honorable Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. (Gala Honorary Chair)The Honorable Fiona Ma (California Treasurer CPA)Brigette LeBlanc (President of Black Chamber of Commerce)Frederick Jordan (Former President of  San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce)Margaret Mitchell (Epi Spa) Getty Images Photographer Mark Gunter Confirmed!MC: Nado Emmanuel Host at KALW CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:Maryam KhosravieHesam Jafari (Buzzable)Eddie Landesberg (CEO Fondu)Izzy Farley (CTO Fondu)Y'Nad Burell (Glass House Public Relations)Charleston PierceBrigette LeBlanc (President San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce)Frederick Jordan (VC, Serial Entrepreneur)Helene Victoria BlossomBisi Obateru (Founder of Just I Guide AI platform for immigrants)Papa Yaw Quainoo - Moderator (Founder of Growing Wealth Platform, host podcast on GWP, Journalist at Bloomberg)Aytakin Aliyeva Moderator (Founder of Femigrant)Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green (Moderator) AGENDA:  4:00 PM Doors Open. General admission seating is first come, first served.VIP dedicated seating area is open. Please plan to arrive early.Parking is available at the cathedral's parking lot and included with your ticket.   5:00PM  MODVATION DIVERSITY VENTURES CONFERENCEPanel discussion about AI ethics, cultural integrity and data ownershipAnticipated representatives from FONDU, STIR BAR LAB, and EPI SPA, JUST I GUIDE will share their inspirations to empower the new generation. 5:30PM  JUNETEENTH FORUM From Africa to the Americas: Overcoming Adversities Through Resilience. A spotlight on African American Women's Impactful Journey 6:00 PM FATHER'S DAY PANELOn Father's Day, SF MODEFA celebrates, acknowledges, and honors all exceptional fathers. Fathers have served as role models and the foundation of a flourishing community.Fundraising Drive for African Arts Academy program initiativesThe Legend of Zaouli story narrative followed by a performance by Fely TchacoSponsor Acknowledgment 6:30 PMVIP  GALA DINNER RECEPTIONNigeria and Ethiopia are featured in the exotic, succulent gourmet kitchen.At the African Arts Academy SF MODEFA Gala, we always showcase international food as part of cultural heritage celebration and diversity. The VIP ticket includes a silent auction and raffles during the dinner fundraising drive.. GENERAL ADMISSIONEnjoy a cocktail reception with the vendors while viewing a display of ethnic arts and sculptures created by local artists, along with a silent auction. 8:00 PMFASHION SHOW The Modern Ethnic Haute Couture fashion runway show will feature local and international designers, celebrating cultural diversity. 8:30 PMPEOPLE'S CHOICE MISS SF MODEFA 2025This year will mark our inaugural SF MODEFA Beauty Pageant to crown our first-ever SF MODEFA MISS Diversity Cultural Ambassador. 9:00 PMLIVE ENTERTAINMENT Live entertainment showcasing different artists that represent different cultural backgrounds to celebrate cultural diversity, such as world music, RNB, classical, and traditional folk music, featuring: Ze Manel Fortes from (Guinea Bissau) Kelda Muszik from (San Jose) Alliana Lilli Yang from (San Francisco) Freddy Clarke from (Menlo Park, CA) Fely Tchaco from (Cote d'Ivoire) Featured Musicians: Marc Levine (Bass) Brian Andres (Drumset) Paul Sonnabend (Conga Master) Eric Bli Bi (Traditional Gouro Percussionist and Zaouli Drummer) Thomas Suzeck (Keyboard and Piano) Bisi Obateru (Afro Beat DJ, Nigeria) Terrence Jong (DJ Special Lightin Effect, Cameroon) Comedian Danny Dechi 10:00 PMDJ OBATERU AFROBEAT The evening will end with every culture and people gathering in the same room to dance to the rhythms of different sounds from the continent of Africa to celebrate world peace, featuring DJ Obateru from Nigeria. THE CREW: Hair And Makeup Team:Ethel ReddyMichelle Prior AlamamedaLou ZambleMayra AguiarDaniel Cartagena Production Team:Devi SeetharamanAlla BolshevaFely TchacoAlina Radu Back Stage Management TeamMayra Aguiar (Back Stage Director) Decor - Setup and Breakdown:Yves Bouele (Stage Manager)Lacy Newall Archiving Video and Photography:Mark Gunter (Getty Images)David Perea (documentary and film producer)Danna GonzalezEugene Polyack DISCLAIMER:Registration for this event will bring us very close to achieving our mission. Price may increase depending on ticket availability as we get closer to the event date.  Tickets can only be transferable; payments are final and nonrefundable. You must be 18 years old or older to purchase this ticket. We strongly suggest that you carefully select your ticket tier before finalizing your payment.  African Arts Academy is a registered trademark and a tax-exempt nonprofit arts organization under 501(c)(3) #81-3494218, headquartered in San Francisco, CA. All payments are tax deductible.

African Arts Academy

SF MODEFA 2025 Gala

Saint Mary's Cathedral

Add a donation

Patron

$175

General Admission

$50

Champion Suporter

$150

Exclusive VIP Dinner Reception

$1,200