%2520-%2520Black_edited.png)
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
-
Host exclusive member only events
-
Annual Signature Events: Immersive events blending fine dining, art showcases, business networking, and community fundraising
-
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.
-
-
Provide curated business solutions to propel member growth and amplify their presence
-
Support local artists, minority-owned businesses, and frontline non-profits
-
Promote health awareness and wellness education
-
Foster a culture of creativity, prosperity, and positive social impact
Our Global Reach
Launched in 2016 in 5 Host Cities, Dîner en Noir (#DEN), headquartered in Washington, DC, now spans 22 Host City Communities across the U.S. & Africa, 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
Howard is a seasoned producer of high-profile, high-end events as the Managing Director of The HNC Agency, a strategic communications & hospitality consulting firm. For over 20 years, he has created and hosted a wide range of experiences—from intimate fundraising dinners and charity galas to sports, elevated nightlife, and immersive experiential events—for organizations including the Autism Society of America, Stand Up 2 Cancer, Gucci, Bulgari, America’s Polo Cup, Johns Hopkins’ Kimmel Cancer Research Center, Bravo’s Real Housewives, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, rock band Journey, and the American Cancer Society, among many others.
A veteran of the fine dining industry, Howard was the proprietor of a successful Washington, DC supper club, completed intensive management programs with Wolfgang Puck and Starr Restaurant Group, and managed the celebrated & iconic DC landmark Le Diplomate. He has also produced exclusive dining events at The Newseum and The Smithsonian Museums, including the American Art, Air & Space, and American Indian Museums. Through The HNC Agency, he has represented and worked with hospitality giants such as The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Fig & Olive, Hard Rock Café, West End Bistro, and The Source by Wolfgang Puck. In 2025, he was named one of Blacks In Events Network’s Top 100 Black International Event Professionals, recognized for his global impact in the industry.
Howard’s passion for blending arts, popular culture, and community extends to media; he served as publisher and editor-in-chief of Most Fabulous Magazines Group, with publications in DC, Chicago, and Miami, and later spent three seasons as on-air talent, host, and co-executive producer of the Being Fabulous Rocks! TV program on The CW broadcast network.
Bringing 20 years of international hospitality experience, an eye for detail, a flair for the dramatic, and a love for connecting people, Howard inspires and motivates the Dîner en Noir Worldwide team, local Host-Organizers, and guests. His goal is to ensure every Dîner en Noir event reflects the organization’s mission while celebrating Black excellence.
A serial entrepreneur, Howard is President & CEO of HNC Enterprises, Inc., a group of entertainment, media, and hospitality companies with assets across the U.S., Europe & Africa. When not traveling for Dîner en Noir, he splits his time between Washington, DC, and Paris, France, remaining a passionate advocate, patron, and supporter of the arts and Black 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