By Katie Vaughn | Photography by Hillary Schave
If you peeked into the Notes app on Ashley Moseberry’s iPhone, you might just be getting a preview of events that will become highlights of Madison’s culture landscape.
“I have notes with random event names and how the events could look,” she says. “I really do create events from the name. I think, what would grab people? It’s so intentional.”
Moseberry, who describes herself as “a creative director and experience designer,” has already established two successful annual events: the Black on State Festival and the Art of Love Conference.
Black on State came together quickly in 2024, after Moseberry connected with the Madison Central Business Improvement District, which was looking for programming to draw more people of color downtown.
Envisioned as a way of reclaiming the city center as a place for all, where Black and underserved voices are not only welcomed but also celebrated, the festival took place in August on State Street, with live music, dancing, food and local vendors. Moseberry was hoping for 5,000 attendees; nearly 13,000 people showed up, even with steady rain during the first hour and a half of the event.
The second year was an even bigger hit. A rodeo theme had attendees line-dancing in the street, and Moseberry says she’ll never forget standing in the crowd and witnessing the smiles on people’s faces. “Humbly, I’ve never seen anything like what we produced,” she says.
Black on State will return in 2026, this time in late August or early September to attract college students and introduce them to the economic, political and cultural center of the city.
“We focus on downtown because that’s where everything happens,” Moseberry says. “Folks of color have gotten comfortable creating our own spaces. We deserve to be in every place in Madison.”
Moseberry is also passionate about making spaces for creatives and entrepreneurs in Madison. She launched the Art of Love conference to give them the chance to pause, reflect and connect with others. Held on the first Saturday of February — to honor the month of love and Black History Month — at the Arts + Literature Laboratory, the conference has speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions.
“Creativity is a huge pillar of society, and we don’t give it the credit it deserves,” Moseberry says. “We need to continue showing how important art, creativity and entrepreneurship are.”
As if producing two annual events weren’t enough — in addition to her work as park and street use assistant for the City of Madison (which involves permitting events) — Moseberry is already dreaming about launching more. And she already has names chosen. R&Breeze would be a winter festival with sledding, cocoa and a DJ, and Happy Hair would celebrate Black hair and “tap into the maximalist side of Black culture,” she says.
“I want more creative spaces for Black folks — areas that don’t just say we are welcome, but we truly feel it, know it and see it,” she says. “I want spaces that reflect our culture, honor our traditions and values, and connect us to one another.”
