On Saturday, June 6, the Westside Cultural Arts Center turned into a full-on Y2K ATL Remix — and Atlanta showed UP. Grind Pretty Fest brought together 200+ ambitious women, creatives, and community leaders for a day of panels, pitches, performances, and pure nostalgia. Baby tees, butterfly clips, and business moves. That's the Grind Pretty way.
The Main Stage Was a Masterclass
From 2 to 4 PM the main stage delivered powerhouse panels, fireside chats, and workshops covering pitching, women in media, entrepreneurship, AI & legal, and the power of the pivot. The Curated Founder Marketplace stayed buzzing all day, with immersive activations from KISS Colors & Care and BLM Sports.
We Honored Six Women Changing the Game
This year's Grind Pretty honorees: Morgan DeBaun (Founder & CEO, Blavity), Jai Ferrell (CEO, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta), Leticia Gardner (Lifestyle Influencer & Founder, Dynamic 3 Medspa), Nivea (Grammy-nominated R&B artist), Britni Ricard (Founder & CEO, COTA Skin), and Cicley Gay (CEO, The Amplifiers & Chair, BLM Global Network Foundation).
$3,000 Went Straight Into Women's Hands
Through our Grind for Good 501(c)(3), we awarded $3,000 in grants live on stage — including the $1,000 Elevator Pitch Grant, won by Railyn Holt of A Rai of Sunshine. Recipients had to be in the room — and the room went crazy every single time.
Then the Y2K Day Party Took Over
An all-female DJ crew led by DJ Traci Steele kept the energy at a ten, Jazzy The Rapper hit the stage, and Nivea gave us a special performance that had the whole room singing every word. VIP guests left with swag bags valued at $100+.
The Photos Say It All
Tap any photo to view it full size.
Thank You, Atlanta
To our honorees, sponsors, vendors, speakers, volunteers, and every woman who pulled up in her Y2K best — thank you. You are the reason Grind Pretty exists. To everyone asking "where's the next one?" — stay close. Join the email list and follow @grindpretty so you never miss an announcement.
