Blavity Fest has officially arrived—and with it, a new space to celebrate Black creativity across design, entrepreneurship, wellness, and culture. Hosted at Lee + White in Atlanta’s historic West End from May 31 to June 1, the festival is more than just a weekend event. It’s a gathering of visionaries, tastemakers, and emerging leaders redefining how we live, connect, and create.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Home can reflect

identity, culture, and

deep personal care

Thoughtful hosting focuses

on presence, joy,

and cultural pride

Afro-Caribbean heritage and

vibrant color choices

inspire joyful interiors

Intentional design supports

wellness, order, and

softness in living

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As a platform dedicated to elevating Black voices in design and lifestyle, Home & Texture is proud to be part of the experience. This year, we’re spotlighting two standout speakers who are reshaping the way we think about home: David Quarles IV and Mattie James. With distinct styles and shared values around joy, intentionality, and cultural expression, both creatives are helping shape the future of how we live and how we feel in our spaces.

David Quarles IV

A longtime Home & Texture favorite, David Quarles IV was featured in Season 1 of our House Tours series, where he opened the doors to his Memphis home—a vibrant, joyful space infused with his Afro-Caribbean heritage, love of color, and deeply personal design philosophy. Now, he brings that same energy to Blavity Fest 2025.

Leading a workshop on hosting and hospitality, Quarles will share how to create spaces that are both stunning and soul-nourishing. His approach is less about perfection and more about presence—cultivating environments that invite connection, celebration, and cultural pride.

From custom table settings to scent, lighting, and music, Quarles considers every detail. His work reminds us that a well-designed home isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about how it feels to live there, gather there, and be fully yourself.

Mattie James

Mattie James is a master of the everyday. As a lifestyle expert, author, and entrepreneur, she’s built a personal brand rooted in structure, elegance, and authenticity. Her “Everyday MAGIC” method has helped thousands of women bring intention and ease to their homes, routines, and goals.

At Blavity Fest, James will be hosting the workshop, “Everyday Magic: Thriving at Home, Work and Life,” offering her take on how to find alignment without losing momentum. From balancing motherhood and business to curating a home that supports your lifestyle, James is a trusted voice in the art of living well.

Her insights are especially valuable for Black women carving out space for joy and success. Whether through her content, her home, or her systems, she reminds us that we deserve softness, order, and beauty in every area of life.

As Home & Texture continues to spotlight the artists and innovators shaping the future of home and design, Blavity Fest offers the perfect backdrop. This inaugural moment is a declaration that Black lifestyle isn’t one-note, and that home is a deeply personal reflection of identity, culture, and care.