On September 13, 2025, cigar enthusiasts and culture lovers gathered at Cigar International in Conroe, Texas for the Black Cigar Festival (BCF) –an event designed to celebrate not only the art of the cigar, but also the richness of culture, community, and connection.
The atmosphere was electric: food trucks serving local favorites, a soundtrack curated by DJ SirJay Boogie, and the unmistakable aroma of fine cigars swirling in the air. Whether you came with friends or walked in alone, one thing was certain –you left with new connections.
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
The Organizers’ Vision
At the heart of this gathering is Quentin Adams of Beaumont, TX, one of the festival’s key organizers. A cigar smoker for eight years and now deeply involved in the community, Quentin joined the BCF team in 2023 after being inspired by its founder, Eros, who launched the festival in 2019.
For Quentin, this isn’t just about cigars –it’s about commerce, opportunity, and inclusion.
“Most minorities don’t have access to this industry. We welcome everybody, but we also don’t want to exclude anybody. It’s about opening doors for everyone.”
Looking ahead, Quentin hopes to expand BCF beyond local borders –first statewide, then nationwide– and eventually build connections with tobacco growers around the world. His vision is to integrate the entire supply chain, from leaf to lounge.
Experiences That Elevate
The Black Cigar Festival isn’t just about lighting up. It’s about elevating the cigar experience through creativity, education, and lifestyle pairing.
- Danita of The Fenix Experience
Based in Houston by way of North Carolina and Virginia, Dani bridges the world of painting and cigars. For six years, she has hosted paint parties as a form of therapy. Now, she merges that energy with cigar culture.
“Painting is therapeutic and the cigar world is all about relaxation, so it seemed like a natural fit. It’s therapy through art –people feel good and don’t even realize it.”
- Hattie’s Hand-Rolling Classes
From Houston, Hattie brings the ancient art of cigar rolling to life. Her journey began with a celebratory smoke she didn’t initially enjoy, until she discovered the right cigar. Now, she not only smokes but teaches the craft of rolling.
“The cigar has always symbolized relaxation and celebration. Learning to roll gave me a deeper connection to what I was smoking –to the history, culture, and artistry behind every cigar.”
More Than a Festival
BCF is more than a festival –it’s a cultural movement. It brings together a diverse community where cigars become symbols of affluence, power, art, and unity. For the Black community in particular, it creates a space to embrace tradition while building new opportunities.
As the festival grows, its purpose remains clear: celebrate cigars, foster connections, and elevate experiences. Whether through pairing tastings, hand-rolling workshops, or painting sessions, BCF proves that the cigar lifestyle is about far more than smoke –it’s about culture, connection, and legacy.
