Sovereign Beauty 2025

In Winter of 2024, Nélida Samara was recipient of the BIPOC Producers Lab grant, a program of Kimzin Creative created in partnership with Creative Sonoma. Through this innovative, nine-month professional development program designed to foster the growth and success of an emerging Sonoma County-based BIPOC producer, Samara gained the knowledge of artistic production, application of event production skills as an event producer, mentorship from Nikko Kimzin throughout the creation of Samara’s own artistic or cultural event for the community, and so much more.

This is where Sovereign Beauty was born.

On August 1st, 2025, The California Theatre transformed into a runway of elegance and artistry for Sovereign Beauty, a free event where BIPOC fashion, local musical talent, and artists came together to celebrate joy and beauty within community.

Photographed by Laura LeClave @chicacamera

This one-of-a-kind vibrant event invited attendees to embrace their inner radiance while experiencing talented BIPOC artists, performers, and models. Sovereign Beauty was more than just a show – it was an expression of community joy and resistance in the name of well-being. Guests were encouraged to dress in expressive, fashion-forward attire as they joined fellow style and music enthusiasts for an evening that celebrated both individual expression and collective joy.

"Sovereign Beauty represents the power of coming together to celebrate what makes us uniquely beautiful," says Samara. "We're creating a space where attendees get an opportunity to dress up, be bold, dance, and remember the magic of gathering as a foundation for celebrating our shared humanity."

With the $15,250 budget Samara was given to produce this event, Samara ensured that her value and care for artists showed up through compensating all artists, musicians, models, desginers, and media crew for their time and passion for the event. As an artist herself, Samara understands the dedication that goes into displaying your craft and part of her love language to all artist participants was sending them home with checks in their pockets. This included fashion designers Shoshoni Hostler and Hands Lopez, musicians Amré Leon Dana, Niko Otis, and Audiopharmacy, as well as all 12 models, and the event’s photo and video crew.