Their Eyes Were Watching Us
AfriKin Art Fair Launches Miami Art Week With an Unforgettable Vernissage
This past weekend marked the electrifying kick-off to Miami Art Week, and AfriKin Art Fair once again lived up to its reputation as the premier African Contemporary Art fair of the season. Their all-white vernissage—an elegant sea of crisp fabrics, African chic flair, and radiant faces—set the tone for an evening that celebrated creativity, culture, and community at the highest level.
With its 2025 theme, "Through Creation, We Find Meaning: SCENES From HOME," AfriKin unveiled a masterfully curated exhibition featuring 60+ artists from more than 30 countries and territories. Curated by Joseph L. Underwood, Ph.D. of Kent State University, the show delivered on the buzz that had already been circulating through Miami's art circles. Underwood's curation skillfully translates the complexity of "home" through an expansive, vibrant array of visual narratives.
Six Pathways Home
"SCENES From HOME" unfolds across six subthemes—each envisioned almost as a standalone mini-exhibition—inviting viewers to travel through the emotional and spiritual terrains that shape our understanding of belonging.
The Six Pathways
As visitors move through the fair, they encounter stories of ancestry, memory, resilience, and hope—an immersive experience that reflects the breadth of the African and diasporic imagination.
A Vernissage Alive With Spirit
The VIP opening was punctuated with a lineup of performances that transformed the Scott Galvin Center into a full-sensory celebration of art and culture.
Leah Gayle and Mitzie opened the evening with a stirring vocal tribute, accompanied by The Mystik Yutes—Zion, Zahir, and Zakai—whose dance performance honored Jamaica and those affected by Hurricane Melissa. Their choreography to Chronixx's "Hurricane" brought many in the audience to tears.
Moonchild followed, serenading the crowd with her smoky, sultry voice, wrapping the room in a velvety warmth.
"The spoken word artistry of Salam The Poet was a showstopper—an eruption of truth and rhythm that left the audience buzzing."
Shayee, alongside Jogbe chants, welcomed the spirit of Mama Africa into the space, turning the gallery into a living altar of ancestral presence.
Dancer Asha delivered a moving piece set to Chronixx's "Genesis," echoing the exhibition's theme of creation.
Award of Excellence: U. Desmond Alufohai
The night's Award of Excellence Honoree, Mr. U. Desmond Alufohai, was recognized for his enormous contributions to global African trade and his task in forever connecting the continent with its diaspora. Following the ceremony, Mr. Alufohai sent this heartfelt letter to Alfonso D. Brooks, founder and director of AfriKin:
I am writing to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to you for presenting me with the 2025 AFRIKIN Awards of Excellence on November 30, 2025, at the Scott Galvin Community Center in North Miami. This recognition is a profound honor, and I am deeply moved by the acknowledgment of my contributions.
As the Roman philosopher Cicero wisely stated, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." In receiving this award, I am reminded of the importance of gratitude—not only for the honor bestowed upon me, but also for the community, vision, and leadership that AFRIKIN represents.
Your role in presenting this award made the occasion even more meaningful. I am appreciative of your efforts and the inspiration you bring to the AFRIKIN mission and Global Africa space. Please accept my sincere thanks for being part of this memorable milestone in my journey.
With gratitude and respect,
U. Desmond Alufohai
Division Director II
Protocol & International Affairs Division
Miami-Dade Aviation Department
A Breathtaking Finale
The night culminated in a breathtaking finale: "Honey Grass," performed by Olujimi Dance Collective & Baba Eddie Dorman, a performance that lifted the energy to its peak and had attendees wishing the night wouldn't end.
Guiding the evening with charm and heart was AfriKin's founder, Alfonso D. Brooks, who reminded the audience that AfriKin is a nonprofit organization—one that faces financial challenges yet remains committed to bringing world-class artistic and cultural experiences to Miami. His words underscored the importance of community support in sustaining this vital platform.
"On November 30th, the venue was glowing with attendees adorned in all-white attire accented by vibrant African elegance."
A Night to Remember
It was an opening that will be remembered not just for its beauty, but for its spirit. AfriKin Art Fair once again proved itself to be a cultural force—a place where art, humanity, and heritage converge.
Visit AfriKin Art Fair 2025
Open Daily: 11 AM – 9 PM
Scott Galvin Community Center
1600 NE 126th Street
Downtown North Miami, FL 33181
This Weekend's Programming:
Saturday Morning: Behind the Seams Workshop
A deep dive into fashion, culture, and craft.
African Fashion Week Miami: "Resistance on the Runway"
December 7, 2025
A powerful showcase of fashion as art, identity, and activism.
Step Inside the Art, Feel the Energy of Home
This is your invitation to witness the brilliance of artists shaping the global contemporary scene. Miami Art Week BEGINS and ENDS at AfriKin Art 2025.
Experience AfriKin Art 2025