Atlanta’s summer season social scene was in full bloom as sundresses swayed and bowties billowed on the wildly standard Sundresses & Seersuckers weekend, which introduced collectively celebrities, politicians, Divine 9 members, and dapper attendees dandily dressed to impress for a sun-drenched symphony of fashion and objective.
Supply: Kerri Phox
What started as a modest day social gathering has flourished right into a extremely anticipated, multi-day affair, one which fuses Black excellence, intentional vibes, and a strong philanthropic mission rooted in service.
Supply: Drew Serette
Anchored by the Delta Mu Mu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sundresses & Seersuckers returned to Atlanta’s House Depot Yard with 4 days of fashion-forward festivities and purpose-driven programming. This yr’s turnout included hundreds of attendees and a star-studded visitor record that includes Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, media persona Large Tigger, and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.
Supply: Kerri PhoxSupply: Kerri Phox
Whereas the curated experiences, music, and cocktails saved the vitality excessive, it was the guts behind the occasion that left a long-lasting impression. Since 2009, the fraternity has awarded over $700,000 in scholarships by its Dedication To Excellence (CTE) Basis.
“Our fraternity and HBCU expertise taught us the significance of group service and investing within the subsequent era,” stated Patrick C. Daniel, Chairman of the Dedication To Excellence (CTE) Basis and a Clark Atlanta College graduate. “Rising up in a single-parent dwelling with no father determine, I perceive firsthand how essential mentorship and alternative are. Sundresses & Seersuckers is not only a celebration, it’s a platform to fund applications like our Black Rhinos mentoring initiative, which helps younger Black males going through comparable challenges.”
Supply: Rashid Mcgriff Supply: Kerri Phox
Daniel, alongside fellow Delta Mu Mu members and occasion co-chairs Larry Rasberry and Wendell Span—all proud HBCU alumni—shared with BOSSIP that the occasion’s development has been each intentional and mission-driven.
“Our HBCU journeys instilled in us a dedication to excellence that goes past private success,” added Daniel. “Sundresses & Seersuckers and the Dedication To Excellence Basis embody these values, remodeling a celebration right into a motion.”
For Wendell Span, one of many proudest features of Sundresses & Seersuckers isn’t simply the gang, the vitality, and even the fundraising; it’s the dedication to continuously evolving the expertise based mostly on group suggestions.
“After each Sundresses & Seersuckers, we survey our patrons to provide us suggestions,” Span instructed BOSSIP. “We all the time look to take that suggestions on how we are able to improve the occasion.”
Supply: Larry Johnson Jr..
Span added that the group deliberately listens to each sponsors and attendees, whether or not it’s ideas about meals truck wait occasions, DJ units, or band picks.
“Ras and I all the time say, this occasion’s not about us. It’s for our patrons and our sponsors so we are able to help the applications that we help,” he added. “That’s all the time my greatest takeaway and what makes me really feel good—that we’re listening to those who help us.”
Supply: Kerri Phox
The CTE Basis’s Companions within the Promise initiative invitations Omega Psi Phi members, chapters, and supporters at massive to contribute to scholarships, well being applications, and mentorship efforts.
“We have now donors with no fraternity affiliation who merely see the affect and need to assist,” Daniel famous. “Anybody can donate straight at cteinc.org.”
Even with its philanthropic core, Sundresses & Seersuckers is designed to dazzle over a number of days.
Past Saturday’s important occasion, the weekend was full of standout experiences—together with a vigorous day social gathering with a bustling vendor market, an empowering panel led by Black docs, a high-energy E.F.F.E.C.T. Health exercise with over 900 registrants, and The PreQuel: Friday evening’s dynamic kickoff that includes six immersive rooms, from a world area pulsing with a go-go band to an intimate R&B lounge.
Supply: Rashid Mcgriff
Extra on the flip.
“We constructed Sundresses & Seersuckers to be in contrast to any conventional fundraiser,” stated S&S co-chair Larry Rasberry to BOSSIP. “Suppose Kentucky Derby vibes however with a deeper objective. Our trademarked occasion brings folks collectively for a sublime expertise whereas straight supporting scholarship and well being applications.”
Supply: Rashid Mcgriff Supply: Larry Johnson Jr.
For first-time attendee and way of life influencer Kiwi The Magnificence, the Derby aesthetic—and the vibes—exceeded expectations. Although initially assuming the occasion catered completely to BGLO members, Kiwi discovered herself absolutely immersed as a 2025 occasion ambassador.
“You don’t actually get it till you’re there,” she instructed BOSSIP. “However when you step on that garden and see the sundresses flowing and the seersuckers poppin’? You change into a believer.”
She continued:
“I used to be blown away. The music, the meals, the dancing, it was simply so stuffed with pleasure. And sure, the attention sweet was a serious bonus.”
Identified for her humorous social commentary, Kiwi leaned into the weekend’s aesthetic, spotlighting sharply dressed males whose tailor-made appears lit up TikTok and drew much more consideration to the occasion.
“There’s one thing a few man in seersucker, it prompts a distinct form of vitality,” she joked. “It’s like old-school courting meets new-school exterior.”
She added that the ambiance felt grown, flirtatious, and respectful.
“These weren’t guys yelling at you from throughout the road,” she stated. “This was, ‘Excuse me, miss—could I’ve a second of your time?’ vitality. The fits had been activating the gentleman.”
Supply: Drew Serette
“It felt like a grown and horny HBCU homecoming,” she added. “However with out the school, simply the enjoyable, the vibes, and the folks. This isn’t simply an occasion. It’s a motion. It’s Sinners within the summertime, with out the vampires.”
Maui Bigelow may agree with that notion as she sank her enamel into her third Sundresses & Seersuckers expertise and declared it probably the most memorable but, extreme storms and all.
“The spotlight of the weekend for me was the title occasion,” Bigelow instructed BOSSIP. “I really like the truth that the rain didn’t cease us from having a superb time.”
A mode knowledgeable in her personal proper, Bigelow was notably impressed by the lads’s style.
“Me, being a style girly, I used to be actually pleased with the blokes—I really feel like the blokes actually introduced their A-game. I’m gonna say the blokes had been dressed higher than the women this yr!”
She additionally praised the occasion’s heat, welcoming vibe, particularly for solo attendees.
“It’s a vibe. It’s nothing to be nervous about,” she stated. “Even in the event you come alone, you’ll have a blast. The vitality is so excessive, you’re going to fulfill someone.”
Even Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave the occasion his seal of approval. Throughout a particular sponsor reception, the 61st steward of the town saluted the Delta Mu Mu chapter for his or her enduring contribution to Atlanta’s civic material, calling Sundresses & Seersuckers “the official summer season kickoff.”
A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Dickens additionally underscored the significance of the occasion’s mission.
Supply: Kerri Phox
“Sundresses & Seersuckers is the guts of knowledge and objective, supporting mentorship and scholarships for ATL’s younger folks,” he stated. “Atlanta is a bunch mission, and it takes all of us working collectively to construct the most effective metropolis in America to boost a toddler.”
With the backing of metropolis management and the unwavering dedication of its organizers, Sundresses & Seersuckers stands as greater than an occasion; it’s a motion, a cultural establishment, and a shining instance of celebration with a trigger.
