Cori Hinton had a similar flashback: “I was driving home and saw a bunch of cameras. I stopped and got out to check it out, and it happened to be the scene where Diana goes into Billy Dee’s office to say goodbye.”
Decades on, Black women continue to see themselves in Tracy. Phillips, who grew up in Chicago’s Stateway Gardens projects, reflected on this connection deeply. “I meet so many girls like Tracy here in Chicago—whether modeling, doing events, or [doing] makeup—they want it so badly. For Black women, stepping into creative agency takes real courage. Watching Mahogany affirms that journey.”
Fashion, always central to Mahogany, was celebrated in a grand, spectacular live runway show in the vein of Ebony Fashion Fair. MC Danny Dunson, curator and Director of Curatorial Services and Community Partnerships at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, called the looks with the panache of a ’70s runway MC, as guests strutted to classics like “Love Hangover” and “Got To Give It Up.”
Clark shared her connection to Tracy’s story and what bringing this event home meant to her. “I’m from the South Side, lived in Paris for a year, and now I’m back,” she told Vogue. “Like Tracy, I’m finding success here. It’s powerful to know I don’t have to leave Chicago to make my mark.”
The evening was a full-sensory tribute, offering something for everyone. Guests received goody bags stocked with beauty staples from Pattern Beauty, Luster, and Hanahana Beauty; danced to a soundtrack of classic house, disco, and soul; and indulged in Chicago icons like Harold’s Chicken and Eli’s Cheesecake. Commemorative Mahogany at 50 cyanotype prints and blankets added a thoughtful, tactile touch.
Capping off the celebration was a powerful appearance by Pemon Rami, a longtime cultural organizer and casting associate who appeared briefly in the original film. Rami was honored ahead of the screening for his decades of impact in Chicago. His presence served as a living thread between the film’s legacy and the vibrant community gathered to celebrate it.
From the alleys of Cottage Grove to the lawn of The DuSable, Mahogany has always belonged to Chicago. This night proved that. Fifty years on, the film still inspires dreamers, designers, and daughters of the South Side.