by Khalilah Jones

The nomination window for the 2026 Best In Black Cville Awards is officially OPEN!

The theme for the 2026 Soul Of Cville Festival is “Future Heirlooms: We Are Ancestors.”

And before anybody says, “Ancestors? That’s for the old folks…” AHT AHT, let us stop you right there.

We’re talking about YOU.

Every choice we make, every young person we pour into, every business we build, every neighbor we show up for…that’s legacy work. One day, somebody will tell stories about how we loved our community, how we built something from nothing, and how we left Charlottesville better than we found it.

That’s what Best In Black Cville has always been about.

Not clout.
Not controversy.
Not tearing people down.

It’s a love letter to the culture.

Presented by Vinegar Hill Magazine and Soul Of Cville, with generous support from United Way, the Eta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, and produced by Chic & Classy Image Consulting, this celebration continues to be powered by organizations and individuals who believe that honoring excellence strengthens our entire community.

The 2026 Best In Black Cville Awards returns to Live Arts Theater on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

And this year…

We’re doing things a little differently.

Same Mission. Fresh Energy.

Over the past five years, one thing has become crystal clear: our community is full of people quietly changing lives who don’t always fit neatly into traditional “Best Of” categories.

The auntie who feeds half the neighborhood.

The mentor who’s been showing up for years.

The entrepreneur building community instead of competition.

The creative who makes everybody around them shine.

The volunteer who never asks for recognition.

Some folks deserve flowers simply because of how they show up.

So for 2026, we’re introducing a ballot full of creative, unconventional categories designed to recognize the people who make Charlottesville feel like home.

This year’s awards are for the people you’ve probably thought about every time you’ve seen a “Best Of” list and said,

“Yeah, those folks are great…but what about the ones doing the work behind the scenes?”

This ballot is for them.

Don’t panic though. Your favorite traditional categories aren’t going anywhere.

Moving forward, we’re exploring a two-pronged approach that allows us to celebrate both community favorites and community impact by blending public nominations with guidance from an awards committee. We believe this approach will help us continue discovering hidden gems while preserving the spirit that has made Best In Black Cville so special.

Because honestly…

Who decided what was worthy of recognition anyway?

A Platform for Positivity.

Let’s be clear about one thing.

Best In Black Cville was created to amplify, celebrate, and uplift.

We know the internet has enough negativity.

This isn’t that.

This platform exists to tell our stories using our voices and our perspectives. It’s about celebrating people who are intentional about building culture, creating opportunities, and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

It’s about giving people their flowers while they can still smell them.

And We’ve Got One More Surprise…

For the very first time, one special award recipient won’t know they’re being chosen until the night of the ceremony.

That’s right.

This year, the audience will help decide one winner through an exciting live voting experience during the show.

No spoilers.

No advance notice.

Just one unforgettable moment where the entire room gets to celebrate someone together.

Trust us…

You’re going to want to be there for that.

More Than An Awards Show.

If you’ve been before, you already know.

Best In Black Cville isn’t just an event.

It’s the family reunion where everybody understood the assignment.

This year’s experience will feature:

• An intimate VIP Reception presented by the Black Professional Network

• Pop-up professional headshots and branding photos

• A Black business and leadership panel discussion

• A must-see multigenerational fashion show

• Live entertainment and special performances

• Black carpet photo moments

• A 360 photo booth experience

• Complimentary desserts courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes

• And one unforgettable live audience voting moment that will crown one unsuspecting recipient right there in the room.

All of it woven together under this year’s Soul Of Cville theme:

Future Heirlooms: We Are Ancestors.

Because what better way to honor the legacy we’re building than by celebrating the people creating it right now?

Here’s What You Need To Know.

Nominations Open: June 6, 2026

Nomination Deadline: Nominations close at midnight, Saturday, June 20 

Official Nomination Form:

Community Voting Opens: Sunday June 21 Official Community Voting Link (Available June 21)

Voting Ends: Saturday July 11

Know someone making an impact?

Running a business with purpose?

Showing up for the culture?

Changing lives without asking for recognition?

Nominate them.

Nominate yourself.

Nominate that person everybody knows deserves their moment.

Don’t Sleep On Tickets.

If you’ve attended before, you already know the energy in the room is something special.

If you haven’t, this is your year.

Seating at Live Arts is limited, and this event is expected to sell out.

When tickets drop, don’t wait for someone else to tell you they’re going. Don’t assume there will be seats left.

Grab your tickets early and secure your spot.

Some moments are too good to catch secondhand on social media.

Want To Be Part Of The Night?

We’re still accepting a limited number of performers, collaborators, and community partners to help make this year’s celebration unforgettable.

If you’ve got talent, products, or services that reflect the excellence of our community, we’d love to hear from you.

Email: [email protected]

Stay Tuned.

Ticket announcements and the full 2026 Soul Of Cville Festival lineup are coming soon.

From August 10-15, 2026, Charlottesville will once again gather to celebrate culture, community, creativity, and connection.

Because one day, someone will tell the story of what we built here.

The question is…

What kind of ancestor are you becoming?