Baltimore MET Gala 2024: Fashion, Awards, and Community Impact

By AFRO Staff

The 2024 Baltimore MET Gala took place for the third time on September 14.

Creators of every genre descended on The HALL – LIVE! Casino and Hotel Maryland for a fashion and awards show executive produced by LaRian Finney and Derrick Chase.

Participants made every effort to adhere to this year’s theme, “Adam and Eve: Enter the Garden,” presenting elegant fabrics and bright floral motifs.

“We know there is a rich pool of talent in the city, across all genres, especially in the arts, fashion and culinary scenes,” Chase said in a statement. “Bringing talent to the city to be a part of Baltimore Story through this exceptional production is a testament to the value we have created in three short years of execution at a high level of excellence.”

The event featured a performance by DJ Tanza, and a culinary feast was prepared by the founder of Black Owned Restaurant Tour (BORT), Azikiwe “Zik” DeVeaux, who combined the offerings of several restaurants for the “A Taste of the MET” event.

The fashion show at the event was produced by Lana Rae. Models in the fashion show came from as far away as San Diego, California, St. Louis and other cities across the country to wear local designers. About 150 models were selected from a pool of 500 by designers Jody Davis and Earle Bannister. The Baltimore MET Gala also included an art exhibit curated by Ernest Shaw, Ainsley Burrows and Laurielle Noel.

The event included several Community Impact Awards:

Mr. David Bramble, Managing Partner/Co-Founder | MCB Real Estate
Edward “Ed” Evans, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
Linzy Jackson, III, Director of External Partnerships | Mayo Office
Susan J. Lee, Vice President, Diversity Partnerships | MOI
Detra Neal, Market Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic | Kimball International
Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson, Founder & CEO | Black Girls Vote
Shelonda Stokes, President | Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

The model walks the catwalk in a creation designed by Afua Sam.
travis winkey
Tershea Rice, interim chief operating officer of the Greater Baltimore Urban League, arrives at the 2024 Baltimore MET Gala.
WBAL’s Meagan Rivers oversees the Baltimore MET Gala as mistress of ceremonies.
Laurese Kelly interprets the theme of the 2024 MET Gala in Baltimore, titled “Adam and Eve: Enter the Garden,” in a piece that references the famous biblical creation story.
Jody Davis
Designer Andrew Nowell (right) looks forward to the 2024 MET Gala in Baltimore.
Designer Sean Bellamy Proudly Attends the 2024 MET Gala in Baltimore
Earle Bannister
DJ Tanz gets the crowd going.
Jody Davis’s designs once again delight audiences.
Model brings designer Sean Bellamy’s work to life.
A pair of models present designs by Luqman Haskett.
Clothes from Dermaine Johnson are very popular among the public.
Luqman Haskett would like to thank the opportunity to present his designs at the 2024 MET Gala in Baltimore.
Afua Sam (center), one of the designers behind the 2024 Baltimore MET Gala fashion show, takes the stage.
Designer Rania Youniss greets the crowd.
Dermaine Johnson
Model presents Andrew Nowell’s designs.
Rania Youniss’s design walks the runway.
Earle Bannister’s designs are on public display.
Shelonda Stokes, president of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, walks the runway at the Baltimore Met Gala. Stokes was recognized with a community impact award at the event.