By Nyame-Kye Kondo
Special to the AFRO
IAHIAL and Unique Robinson are delighted to see one another at such an important event. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Attendees enjoy the Jubilee Noir fundraiser. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Harmony Grady is all smiles at the communal art table.(AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Christen ‘IAHIAL’ B. Taylor performs a beautiful set for the event. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Writer and poet Jamaal “Black Root” Collier is proud to support the Creative Nomads mission. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Michael Afolabi, Creative Nomads supporter and educator, takes a quick photo. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Comfortable decor for the attendees to enjoy at the function. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Shown here, Unique Robinson, at the Creative Nomads fundraiser and anniversary celebration. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Nicola Uatuva (right) and Unique Robinson(left) run the “Crowning” station. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Creative Nomads, an art advocacy organization, celebrates a full decade of success.(AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
(AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Sunni Gilliam, Nichelle Cathlin and Bobby Nicotera chat and enjoy a light bite. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Creative Nomads Founder Kaynecha Daugherty takes in the moment. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Filmmaker Bri Haley is all smiles at the function. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Attendees of “Jubilee Noir” mingle inside and outside the Clifton Mansion grounds on Sept. 27. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
DJ Mister Vershawn curates a smooth vibe for attendees. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Each year Creative Nomads holds their “Jubilee Noir” fundraiser, bringing together the community for a cause. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo) 
Ayanna Sharif (left) and Mothyna James-Brightful catch up. (AFRO photos / Nyame – Kye Kondo)
On Saturday, Sept. 27, dark clouds lingered over Clifton Mansion, but on its grounds the Baltimore-based arts advocacy organization, Creative Nomads, filled the space with light, joy and community as its annual fundraiser, titled “Jubilee Noir.”
Once a slave plantation, Clifton Mansion became, for one evening, a site of resilience and reclamation of legacy as Creative Nomads, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, reminded all in attendance of how Baltimore honors the past by healing through the arts.
Founder Kayenecha Daugherty said the location of the event had special meaning.
“Inside we have an altar to those enslaved people who worked here, because we wanted to make sure we honor them. We also wanted to ensure that joy exists on this land, because they toiled on it,” she said. “Now, we have the opportunity to celebrate, to be joyful, while remembering their sacrifices and their good work.”
Daugherty spoke on the future she envisions for the organization, which has grown over the years, with help of fundraisers like Jubilee Noir.
“We hope to expand our partnerships so that we can serve more people,” she told the AFRO. “We are truly nomads at the moment, but we want a base camp, a space we can own as a Black-led arts organization in Baltimore.”
For the past decade, Creative Nomads has provided opportunities for artists, offered workshops for Baltimore residents and beautified communities through mural projects. The Jubilee Noir fundraiser has supported this ongoing mission.
On Sept. 27 activities unfolding both inside the mansion and beneath a translucent tent on its lawn. Guests mingled over hors d’oeuvres and the sounds of DJ Mister Vershawn while exploring the interactive stations.
One standout was Garden of Nicola, a crown-making workshop where guests fashioned headpieces from fresh flowers and herbs. Led by artist Nicola Uatuva and her partner, Unique Robinson, director of MICA’s MFA Community Arts program, the activity became an important highlight of the night.
“It’s a wonderful crowning activity, allowing us to reflect on the James Baldwin quote, ‘Your crown has already been bought and paid for. All you have to do is wear it,’” Uatuva said. “We have fresh flowers, herbs and beautiful energy to celebrate Creative Nomads and all of the work they are doing in the community—and will continue to do.”
Robinson said she also appreciates the work done by the organization.
“I always respect the work they do,” she said. “I’m glad to see such strong support for a Black woman-led initiative.”
Nearby, guests added their own touches to a communal painting guided by Creative Nomads team member, Harmony Grady.
“I’ve been working with Creative Nomads for two years, and it’s been amazing,” Grady said. “It’s been nice to see families come together when we do events.”
As the evening shifted into its second half, attendees enjoyed a dinner, partner acknowledgments and a live performance by Christen B. Taylor, also known as IAHIAL. Her melodic voice and hypnotic beats reverberated across the mansion grounds.
“This event is such a beautiful combination of creativity, intention and support of artistry,” Taylor shared after her set. “It’s an incredible feeling to be in the space of so much love.”