This year’s ELEVATE: Rooted & Rising was nothing short of extraordinary. Over three unforgettable days, Atlanta came together to celebrate the rhythm, resilience, and reinvention that define our city’s culture. From Downtown to the West End, we honored the spaces, stories, and sounds that shaped a generation — and the roots that continue to raise us.
A Celebration of Atlanta’s Creative Legacy
We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out, showed love, and contributed their extraordinary talent to make this year’s festival such a powerful success. Rooted & Rising reminded us that Atlanta’s culture is medicine — a source of healing, connection, and creative energy that continues to inspire the world.
Honoring the Artists Who Built the Blueprint
This year’s theme paid tribute to Atlanta’s cultural rise in the late ’80s through the early 2000s — an era of hair salons, block fashion, park sound systems, storytellers, stylists, dreamers, and doers — all of whom built the blueprint for what the world now knows as Atlanta.
We are deeply grateful to our visionary curators Courtney Brooks, Melissa Alexander, and SLW & Steady for their creativity, passion, and dedication in bringing this festival to life. Their work transformed ELEVATE: Rooted & Rising into a citywide celebration of art, memory, and movement.
Atlanta’s Roots Run Deep
As we close this year’s festival, we honor everyone who helped make it possible — artists, partners, volunteers, and our incredible community. Thank you for celebrating Atlanta’s soul with us. The city’s roots run deep, and together, we keep rising.
