N'Kenge Foundation Founder N'Kenge Returns to New York After European Performances

N'Kenge, founder and executive director of the N'Kenge Foundation, has returned to New York City after two engagements in Europe. During Italy's Fashion Week she performed at Sala Verdi Hall in Milan, then traveled to Bulgaria to star as Lauretta in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi at the State Opera in Stara Zagora.

The European dates follow another milestone. N'Kenge was named Best Vocalist at the 2026 14th Annual Intercontinental Music Awards, an international competition, for her live performance of "Bewitched," featured on her 2025 album Centerstage, Live from the Ella F. The two European engagements covered different sides of her work as a performer, from a concert stage in Milan to a leading opera role in Stara Zagora.

Programs include Are You The Next Showstopper?, a national talent competition that brings twenty finalists to New York City for a one-night-only showcase before an audience of industry professionals. Harmony of Heritage, which pairs music with mindfulness and financial literacy. And That's Love! That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical premiered at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on February 19, 2026, with N'Kenge among the cast.

The foundation's next listed event is No Place Like Home: A Showstopper Celebration on December 7 at the Hilton Fashion District Hotel, 152 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001. Tickets and details are available at nkengefoundation.org. Questions about programs, partnerships, press or donations can be sent to info@nkengefoundation.org. The foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 99-4310836, and donations are tax-deductible.

About N'Kenge Foundation

The N'Kenge Foundation is a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024 by Emmy, Grammy and Tony-nominated Broadway performer N'Kenge. It invests in young BIPOC artists through education, mentorship, mental wellness programming and financial literacy, and amplifies BIPOC voices and stories across media platforms. Its work includes in-school and community initiatives, training programs and storytelling projects, along with the Are You The Next Showstopper? national talent competition, the Harmony of Heritage program, and That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical High School Edition. The foundation is based at 45 River Drive South, Jersey City, NJ 07310.