Black on State’s upcoming Rooftop Summer Soirée, designed to bring people together through creativity, connection, music, and community in a unique rooftop setting, is set for Saturday, June 13, 6-9 p.m. at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA).
“I really just want to create spaces that aren’t overly expensive, but are still upscale and allow us to look good, feel good, and then gather at the same time. Community is the ultimate goal,” says Ashley Moseberry, the founder and creator of Black on State, a community-driven organization dedicated to elevating voices, art and creativity. “I feel like this event is the right step into our next chapter of really prioritizing that young adult space that isn’t networking and it also isn’t nightlife. I feel like that’s kind of where we have found our bread and butter, and I’m really just trying to tap into that as much as possible.”
Moseberry is encouraging people to come out Saturday night to the Rooftop Summer Soirée to connect, celebrate, and enjoy a beautiful summer evening downtown at a new and exciting event.
“I have been working with Paul [Baker Prindle], the [Gabriele Haberland] Director of MMoCA, for the last seven months,” Moseberry says. “We’ve just been talking about how he can support me and help make Black on State something bigger. He said, ‘Have you ever done a fundraiser?’ and I said, ‘Not really.’ He said, ‘Let’s get you into MMoCA.’”
(Photo supplied.)
Founded by Moseberry, Black on State has spent the last five years creating spaces that celebrate community and culture in Madison, with events like the Rooftop Summer Soirée
“I didn’t want to get with a bunch of people and have us sitting down. I really wanted it to be less of networking and more people learning about what Black on State has been doing over the last five or six years and how we do what we do,” Moseberry says. “I honestly just wanted to allow people to see our history.
“So we’re looking forward to June 13, when we will be taking over the whole third floor of MMoCA, the indoor and outdoor area,” she continues. “We’re also going to be having complimentary sangria and a little bit of food. We have a DJ, a boom bar where people can make their own little bouquets. We’re just going to have some cool activities for people to jump in and connect with each other.”
There will also be a photographer at the event capturing the many people and the mood of an evening centered on creating intentional spaces for connection in downtown Madison.
The event is held in support of the annual Black on State Festival, which will bring thousands to downtown Madison on Aug. 22.
Moseberry says that she has been moving away from unintentional community programming at Black on State.
“I think when I started, I was trying to connect as many people of color as possible to Madison, but I realized that my niche was the Black creative and entrepreneurial community,” Moseberry says. “Everyone is welcome to my events, but those are the folks who consistently show up. Many of the people who come to my event have been coming since I started in 2021. So I’m really trying to honor them while also creating spaces, and honestly just activating spaces that Black and brown folks usually aren’t in and letting them know that these spaces are available to us and that we can gather in these places.
‘I really just want to be intentional with the spaces that I activate and create, and I’m just trying to bring more fun activities to the community,” she adds.
As Black on State continues to grow, the organization has seen increasing interest from residents looking for opportunities to connect, build community, and experience Madison in new ways.
“I think what I’ve been focusing on unintentionally is creating not so much of an event, but like an experience where the atmosphere plays into people enjoying themselves,” Moseberry says. “I’m very intentional with the details, and I just think this is going to be a great way for people to show up and show out and enjoy themselves, and explore the city a little bit.”
The suggested attire for the Rooftop Summer Soirée, according to the Eventbrite invite, will be flowy silhouettes, relaxed tailoring, warm textures, and cocktail style with personality.
“I love to create spaces that encourage people to look nice. I think look good/feel good is a very real thing. So I really encourage people to dress up nicely,” Moseberry says. “I’m not saying folks have to come in their flyest outfit, but I really want people to show up and put some effort into being there, because I want you to feel good while you’re there.”
For more information about Black on State’s Rooftop Summer Soirée, click here.
“Tickets are moving really fast. I’m just hoping that folks can get them as soon as possible, just because the capacity is limited for this event,” Moseberry says. “I would love to see everyone there, but obviously, capacity is limited. I can’t admit everyone who wants to join us. So, get them as soon as you can.
“Also, please follow us at Black on State, because we have a lot planned for this summer,” Moseberry continues. “I have a lot that I’m going to try to test out in the community and try to see what folks are really interested in, what they’re looking to do. I really want to tap into the side of things that is not so money-focused and really just allow community to gather in spaces that are free to us.”
[Editor’s Note: Black on State’s upcoming Rooftop Summer Soirée has sold out of tickets, according to Moseberry.]
