2025 18th & Vine Honors Awards Recap: A Night of Culture, Community, and Legacy
Thank You, Kansas City
On May 25, 2025, Kansas City’s iconic Gem Theater transformed into a sanctuary of celebration, culture, and legacy as the 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation proudly hosted the 2025 Honors Awards. Over 400 guests came together to recognize and uplift the trailblazers of Black and Brown arts and culture — from music and dance to poetry, visual art, and beyond.
This electrifying evening was more than just a show — it was a historical moment for the community and a testament to Kansas City’s unmatched creative energy.
Honoring Excellence Across the Arts
Twelve phenomenal honorees were recognized for their transformative impact across artistic disciplines. Each honoree received a personal proclamation from Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley, and the Foundation itself was honored at Kansas City City Hall for its continued cultural contributions.
2025 Honorees
Harold Smith – Visual Arts
Chrystal Rucker – Gospel Music
Danny Hinds – Dance
Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City – Theater
La Mafia Norteña – Latin Music
The Popper – Hip Hop & Rap
Lee Langston – R&B (Male)
Darcus Gates – R&B (Female)
Elisha Israel & AZ-One – Afro Beats & Reggae
Glenn North – Spoken Word/Poetry
Gerald Dunn – Jazz
A Night of Powerful Performances
This year’s show featured:
Live music tributes across gospel, jazz, hip-hop, Latin, R&B, and Afrobeat
Live painters and visual artists creating real-time masterpieces
Three crowd sing-alongs, uniting the audience in a shared artistic experience
Hosts Quez and Kimology, whose energy carried the evening from start to finish
DJ Fresh & Hot 103 Jamz Morning Show, honoring KC’s music legacy
Performances by Tobbi & Tommi, Kim Keys, Vaughan Harrison, Shon Ruffin, Houston Smith, Scheeze, La Mafia Norteña and more
Behind the Scenes
Photography: Jerome Hutchinson & Pasavia Janeise (SuiteP Studios)
Videography & Creative Direction: 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation team
Captured Moments & Highlights
From red carpet interviews to heart-stirring speeches, every moment is now available to revisit:
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We could not have done it without our incredible sponsors:
NTDF
University Health
American Jazz Museum
Harrah’s Casino
and more
Your support helped elevate this night into a moment of civic pride and artistic excellence.
What’s Next: The 18th & Vine Arts Festival (Sept 26–28, 2025)
The momentum continues! Don’t miss our city’s most vibrant arts celebration — the 18th & Vine Arts Festival. Join us for three days of live performances, food trucks, art exhibits, and the exciting Live on the Vine Music Competition.
Opportunities:
🎨 Artist Sign-Ups Now Open
🎤 Audition for Live on the Vine
🍽️ Food Truck Vendor Applications Available
🤝 Sponsor Packages Ready
🎟️ Tickets: $10 Day Pass | $25 Weekend Pass
👉 Buy Tickets & Learn More
In Gratitude & Forward Motion
The 2025 Honors Awards weren’t just an event — they were a declaration of purpose, a standing ovation to our ancestors, and a passing of the torch to the next generation. To everyone who performed, partnered, attended, or cheered us on — thank you.
We’ll see you in September. Until then, stay inspired.
— The 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation