Atlanta’s summer season social scene was in full bloom as sundresses swayed and bowties billowed on the wildly widespread Sundresses & Seersuckers weekend, which introduced collectively celebrities, politicians, Divine 9 members, and dapper attendees dandily dressed to impress for a sun-drenched symphony of favor and objective.
Supply: Kerri Phox
What started as a modest day celebration 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 Dwelling Depot Yard with 4 days of fashion-forward festivities and purpose-driven programming. This 12 months’s turnout included hundreds of attendees and a star-studded visitor listing that includes Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, media persona Massive Tigger, and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.
Supply: Kerri PhoxSupply: Kerri Phox
Whereas the curated experiences, music, and cocktails stored the vitality excessive, it was the center behind the occasion that left a long-lasting impression. Since 2009, the fraternity has awarded over $700,000 in scholarships by means of its Dedication To Excellence (CTE) Basis.
“Our fraternity and HBCU expertise taught us the significance of group service and investing within the subsequent era,” mentioned Patrick C. Daniel, Chairman of the Dedication To Excellence (CTE) Basis and a Clark Atlanta College graduate. “Rising up in a single-parent house with out a father determine, I perceive firsthand how important 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 dealing with related 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, reworking a celebration right into a motion.”
For Wendell Span, one of many proudest features of Sundresses & Seersuckers isn’t simply the group, the vitality, and even the fundraising; it’s the dedication to continually evolving the expertise primarily based on group suggestions.
“After each Sundresses & Seersuckers, we survey our patrons to offer us suggestions,” Span informed BOSSIP. “We at all times 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 at all times 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 at all times my largest 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’ve got donors with no fraternity affiliation who merely see the impression and wish to assist,” Daniel famous. “Anybody can donate instantly at cteinc.org.”
Even with its philanthropic core, Sundresses & Seersuckers is designed to dazzle over a number of days.
Past Saturday’s principal occasion, the weekend was full of standout experiences—together with a full of life day celebration with a bustling vendor market, an empowering panel led by Black medical doctors, 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 house 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 not like any conventional fundraiser,” mentioned S&S co-chair Larry Rasberry to BOSSIP. “Assume Kentucky Derby vibes however with a deeper objective. Our trademarked occasion brings folks collectively for a chic expertise whereas instantly 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 totally immersed as a 2025 occasion ambassador.
“You don’t actually get it till you’re there,” she informed BOSSIP. “However when you step on that garden and see the sundresses flowing and the seersuckers poppin’? You develop 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 to be like 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 environment felt grown, flirtatious, and respectful.
“These weren’t guys yelling at you from throughout the road,” she mentioned. “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 attractive 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 one of the vital memorable but, extreme storms and all.
“The spotlight of the weekend for me was the title occasion,” Bigelow informed BOSSIP. “I really like the truth that the rain didn’t cease us from having time.”
A mode skilled in her personal proper, Bigelow was significantly impressed by the lads’s style.
“Me, being a style girly, I used to be actually happy with the fellows—I really feel like the fellows actually introduced their A-game. I’m gonna say the fellows had been dressed higher than the women this 12 months!”
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 mentioned. “Even in the event you come alone, you’ll have a blast. The vitality is so excessive, you’re going to satisfy someone.”
Even Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave the occasion his seal of approval. Throughout a particular sponsor reception, the 61st steward of town saluted the Delta Mu Mu chapter for his or her enduring contribution to Atlanta’s civic cloth, 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 center of knowledge and objective, supporting mentorship and scholarships for ATL’s younger folks,” he mentioned. “Atlanta is a bunch venture, and it takes all of us working collectively to construct the perfect metropolis in America to boost a baby.”
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.
