On August 17, more than 200 of Dallas’ next generation of cultural leaders came together to support the relaunch of the Young Professional Council at the African American Museum in Fair Park.

  

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Kristal Harris, Rodderick West, NiEtta Reynolds, D'Andrea Young

The event coincided with the exhibition "If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future," which features more than 60 pieces from 55 emerging, mid-career, and established artists.

Both the relaunch and the exhibition are sponsored by Nando's Peri-Peri, popular restaurant group that is opening its first North Texas location soon. A Houston restaurant recently debuted, and an Austin outpost is on the horizon.

Fun fact: Nando’s is one of the largest collectors of contemporary Southern African art in the world. The collection is uniquely displayed in Nando’s restaurants globally, providing access to millions of people, many of whom will never visit an art gallery or museum.

Attendees at the event enjoyed tours from exhibit curator Laurie Ann Farrell, along with cocktails, beer, and wine plus music by DJ Endolena.

Also at the event were members of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, the Dallas Museum of Art Junior Associates, Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Professionals, Dallas Opera's Crescendo, Preservation Dallas Young Professionals, Dallas Regional Chambers Young Professionals, Broadway Dallas Young Professionals, and the TBAAL Millennium Board

The African American Museum is the only museum in the southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation, and display of African American artistic, cultural, and historical materials that relate to the African American experience.

The museum has a small-but-rich collection of African art, African American fine art, and one of the largest African American folk art collections in the United States.

"If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future" recently received a 2023 TACA (The Arts Community Alliance) pop-up grant given to exceptional shows producing compelling art that inspired creative collaboration, radically inclusive innovation, and artistic excellence.

Open to the public at no cost, the exhibition runs through Sunday, October 22.

To learn more about joining the Young Professional Council, visit the African American Museum's website.