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ABOUT DÎNER EN NOIR
Founded in 2016, Dîner en Noir (DEN) is a global social enterprise and member-benefit professional networking organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurship, economic growth, and community excellence by uniting visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, and change-makers worldwide through exclusive events, curated business solutions, and community engagement.
Our exclusive events are a celebration of Black excellence, providing a platform for meaningful professional connections to flourish. These events also serve as a vital source of support for local nonprofits that share our mission and values. Specifically, we partner with organizations dedicated to combating systemic inequities in three key areas: arts programming, small business and economic development, and health and wellness education. By doing so, we aim to create a lasting impact in underserved communities and empower them to thrive.
What We Do
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Host exclusive member only events
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Annual Signature Events: Immersive events blending fine dining, art showcases, business networking, and community fundraising
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Salon Events: Exclusive networking occasions on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis designed to keep our #DEN communities engaged while providing members with opportunities to expand their professional connections and foster purposeful, valuable, and financially rewarding business relationships.
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Provide curated business solutions to propel member growth and amplify their presence
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Support local artists, minority-owned businesses, and frontline non-profits
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Promote health awareness and wellness education
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Foster a culture of creativity, prosperity, and positive social impact
Our Global Reach
Headquartered in Washington, DC, Dîner en Noir (#DEN) spans 19 Host City Communities across the U.S., Paris, Barcelona, London — and growing. With 50K+ global members, #DEN is more than a network; it’s a movement redefining Black entrepreneurship, economic power, and cultural legacy.
Dîner en Noir Worldwide leads our global events program, licensing, and mission development. In each city, Local Community Engagement Managers and Host-Organizers bring the DEN experience to life, blending local flavor with our core values.
Join Our Movement
Become a member to access exclusive events, business solutions, and community engagement opportunities. Interested in bringing DEN to your city? Click here to learn more about becoming a Host-Organizer and joining our global network.
Together, let's elevate Black excellence, empower communities, and create lasting impact.
THE SIGNATURE EVENT
Black Excellence Community Awards
An Afternoon of Anticipation
Imagine this, the day of the Dîner en Noir Signature Event, registered members will receive a text and/or email revealing the secret location of the elegant black-attire event. With utmost decorum, attendees will make their way to the rendezvous location, dressed in sophisticated undisturbed black attire, ready for a fully immersive, three-part dining experience.
A Night of Elegance and Celebration
Our members and guests, comprising small business owners, artists, city leaders, and influencers, will come together for an unforgettable night of elegant dining, arts and music showcases, dancing, and an epic celebration of community support. At unique hosting venues across our Host Cities, attendees will experience the perfect blend of sophistication and community spirit.
Beyond the Elegance: Networking and Connection
While enjoying the three-part event (Aperitif Cocktail Hour, Seated Dinner, and Digestif "Après le Dîner" Party), attendees will have the opportunity to expand their professional network, make intentional, meaningful, and financially beneficial business connections, engage with like-minded individuals in a supportive environment conducive to community-building. Our event has become the ultimate artistic and business networking opportunity, as well as a health and wellness resource, earning the reputation as
THE Chicest Networking Event of the Season™.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
DINING EXPERIENCE - Guests need to bring a square table (27" x 27" x 27") folding-table, two black chairs (or with black chair covers); a black picnic basket, a 3-course gourmet meal for two, a black tablecloth and cloth-napkins, cutlery, dishware, glassware, black transport cart that will fit under your table and a black garbage bag to take your trash. Bottles of wine and champagne can be purchased from the #DENStore.
PLATED EXPERIENCE - Guests simply need to bring themselves. Guest will enjoy and a full serviced 3-course dining experience complete with wait service. Note: wine/champagne not included. Bottles of wine and champagne can be purchased from the #DENStore.
FULL EXPERIENCE - Guests simply need to bring themselves. Guests will enjoy a full serviced 3-course dining experience and a complimentary pairing complete with wait service during the seated dinner. Guests will also enjoy access to the Founder's Lounge, which is the most exclusive experience of the Dîner en Noir event. Founder's Lounge guests enjoy complimentary drinks & heavy passed hors d'oeuvres during the Aperitif Cocktail Hour & Digestif “Après le Dîner” (After-Dinner) Party, a discounted invitation to our international Dîner en Noir event, perks from our Partnering Sponsors and much more! Additional bottles of wine and champagne can be purchased from the #DENStore.
Please Note: Not all registration options may be available in your city.
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
No stranger to producing high-end/high-profile events as the Managing Director of the strategic communications firm, The HNC Agency, Howard has been producing & hosting small to large-scale fundraising, charity, sports, dining, elevated nightlife, unique experiential events & galas for organizations including Autism Society of America, Stand Up 2 Cancer, Gucci, Bulgari, America’s Polo Cup, John Hopkins' Kimmel Cancer Research Center, Bravo’s Real Housewives, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Iconic Rock Band Journey, American Cancer Society & many more for 20 years.
Also, no stranger to the fine dining industry, Howard was the proprietor of a very successful Washington, DC supper club, completed intensive management training programs with Wolfgang Puck Catering & Starr Restaurant Group, managed the famed celebrity hot-spot French restaurant, Le Diplomate, in Washington, DC., and have managed & produced exclusive dining events at The Newseum, The Smithsonian Museums to include American Art, Air & Space, and American Indian. Through his work with The HNC Agency, he has also represented/worked with hospitality giants including The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotel, Fig & Olive Restaurants, Hard Rock Café, West End Bistro, The Source by Wolfgang Puck, and more. In 2025, Howard was one of named Blacks In Events Network's Top 100 Black international event professionals who are making a global impact and shaping the industry in powerful ways!
Howard brings his 20-year international hospitality expertise, attention to detail, a flair for the dramatic, his love of "people-connecting", passion for arts & small business/economic development, and promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit to inspire and motivate the Dîner en Noir Worldwide team, local Host-Organizers, and guests at each Dîner en Noir event. He aims is to ensure that each Dîner en Noir event exemplifies the mission of the organization while celebrating Black excellence.
Howard is a serial entrepreneur and the President & CEO of HNC Enterprises, Inc., a group of entertainment, media, and hospitality companies with assets throughout the U.S. & Europe. When not traveling for Dîner en Noir events, he resides between Washington, DC, and Paris, France. He is a staunch advocate, patron, and lover of the arts, and small business/entrepreneurship.
Howard Nelson Cromwell
PLEASE NOTE: Dîner en Noir (#DEN) is in NO WAY associated with Dîner en Blanc Paris, Dîner en Blanc International or any local Dîner en Blanc affiliates and while there may be similarities, #DEN is a community-based fundraising event that supports local non-profit organization aligned with our mission. The Le Dîner en Noir/Dîner en Noir name, logos, & trademarks are all intellectual properties owned by Dîner en Noir Worldwide, a subsidiary of HNC Enterprises, Incorporated, under the United States Patent & Trademark Office Registration Number 5793822. All Rights Reserved