By Raymond Tyler
Thank you Nathan Smalls, curator and creator of the Black Excellence Festival in Atlantic City. As a lifelong (on again, off again) resident of Atlantic City, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you for bringing the Black Excellence Festival to Atlantic City.
I have seen so much potential in venues like The Showboat for years, but the right people were never given an opportunity. I have also seen that some people were not willing to invest in projects long term.
I want this “letter” to serve as documentation that Nathan Smalls has committed time, sweat equity, and years to building a great festival and bringing it here to Atlantic City. This year (June 16-18) was the best one yet.
I ran into a well-dressed woman complaining of being tired because there were so many great activities to attend, from workshops and seminars, to the house music festival, the day parties, the comedy club show and more. She was complaining with a huge smile as she made her way to a party from a brief rest in her room.
I reminded her, “this is a three-day festival. You have to pace yourself, Miss.”
Her smile grew bigger as she replied, “I know. We are having an amazing time. We’ll get some rest before the Gospel show and brunch tomorrow.”
At that moment I was proud of The Showboat, Atlantic City, and most of all you Nathan.
I know that in bringing in people from all over the East Coast for three days, there were some unforeseen problems that you had to work out on the spot. I also know that you want everyone who came to support the Black Excellence Festival “to have an amazing time.”
Lastly, I want to say that I was glad to see so many tourists enjoying the festival, and that I will continue to do what I can to make sure more people from Atlantic City, and the surrounding area, to know about and enjoy the Black Excellence Festival as well.
I am already looking forward to next year. Let’s curate an event together.
