On Thursday, MCM partnered with The Quintessential Gentleman to host an intimate evening centered on style grooming and conversations that matter.
Inside the brand’s Lenox Mall storefront, guests were welcomed with curated cocktails, elevated shopping, and an atmosphere that mixed luxury with community.
From the moment attendees stepped through the doors, they were greeted with specialty drinks crafted by BlackLeaf Premium + Organic Vodka, including The Blackleaf Cosmo, the Fifth Avenue Sour, and the French 76, while DJ Bae set the tone with a smooth, feel-good soundtrack.
The space was filled with conversation as guests explored offerings from Black-owned brands eLo and Bēhold Natural Essentials™, discovering grooming and lifestyle essentials designed with intention.
As the room settled, Satchel Jester welcomed attendees and introduced the night’s moderator, The Quintessenial Gentleman’s Editor-in-Chief Eric Keith, along with panelists Kenneth “Kusdem” Carnell, the creative director and celebrity stylist known for shaping the looks of icons like Usher, and Garrick Wade, founder of Bēhold Natural Essentials™.
What followed was a lively, thoughtful conversation on the deeper meaning of style, grooming, and collaboration within the Black community.
Carnell and Wade shared personal insights on building signature style, why haircare and skincare routines are essential for men, and the entrepreneurial journeys that led them to create spaces and products for Black men to prioritize themselves.
They emphasized that grooming isn’t vanity, it’s a necessity. It’s ownership of your presence. It’s a ritual that shapes confidence, clarity, and how you show up in the world.
The discussion also touched on something larger: the power of collaboration. Both panelists highlighted how necessary it is for Black men to support one another’s ventures, to build intentionally, and to normalize partnership in a landscape that too often encourages isolation.
Guests continued to mingle throughout the evening, enjoying cocktails, discovering premium products, and taking part in conversations that connected wellness, style, and identity.
Between the music, the energy, and the shared commitment to elevating today’s masculinity, the event offered more than a networking moment; it created community.
Check out more images from the event below.
Photo Credit: Blair Devereaux / Trarell Torrence
