2024 African American Cultural Festival

The 2024 African American Cultural Festival was a resounding success, celebrating community, culture, and creativity with vibrancy and spirit. The event kicked off with an enthusiastic opening procession at the Village Stage, located at the Wake County Courthouse. Attendees eagerly gathered to witness and participate in the dynamic activities led by Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Participants experienced the art of giant puppetry, while Baba McDaniel of the Haramabe Collective energized the crowd with captivating African dance sessions. The procession, which began at 11:15 am, was a highlight, showcasing the harmony and joy that define our community. The festival was a testament to the power of cultural expression and collective joy, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the richness of African American culture. We are grateful for everyone who joined us in this celebration, making it a truly unforgettable event full of love and unity.

 
 
 

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The African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County is committed to uniting, engaging and educating a diverse community through the celebration of the African American Culture as expressed through the arts. This year marked the 15th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County and we invite you to be a part of the celebration! The festival was held on Labor Day Weekend, August 31st - September 1st, 2024, in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

The festival is not just an event, it’s an experience! This family friendly, interactive event is free and accessible to all and has become a destination event for visitors from all over the country. The festival features local and national talent in visual arts, music, theatre and dance, and showcases a host of craft, merchant and food vendors.

 

The African American Cultural Festival is proud to present an exciting array of interactive art projects each year. Throughout the festival grounds, visitors of all ages will find a wide array of interactive art activities designed to encourage exploration and creativity.

Some of these projects include our Art Walls where attendees can use colorful chalk to express themselves; Puppetry workshops that introduce children to the fine art of character building and storytelling; Mural Projects that showcase works by some of North Carolina's talented local artists; and Theatre workshops where attendees can collaborate to create their own original performances.

These art projects provide a unique opportunity for visitors to dive into the creative spirit of AACF. From visual artistry to live performance, these interactive experiences will inspire curiosity and help bring our community together!

 

The African American Cultural Festival is more than just a celebration of art and culture, it's also an opportunity to help strengthen our local communities. Each year, AACF offers a variety of outreach programs that promote education, collaboration, and social change throughout Raleigh & Wake County.

Our signature initiative, the AACF Youth Art Grant Program, helps to promote creativity and leadership among high school students in our area. This program provides grants to fund projects that bring art education and creative experiences to underserved populations. We also partner with local service organizations to provide access to health and social services for festival attendees.

Through these community outreach initiatives, AACF strives to create a more vibrant and inclusive local community. We are proud to bring together our city's many cultures and use the power of art to make a positive impact in the lives of everyone!

 

How People Can Get Involved

With The Festival

Are you ready to get involved with the African American Cultural Festival? Whether you're looking for a volunteer opportunity or want to share your own art and merchandise, there are plenty of ways to join in on the fun!

We invite everyone to become a part of this unique celebration of African American culture! There are so many ways to get involved, so don't miss out on your chance to join us for the 2024 AACF.

Don't forget to check out the AACF website for more information about this year's festival, including a full list of participating artists and vendors. You can also find us on social media, where we'll be sharing updates throughout the summer and leading up to the big event. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for special announcements and exciting news about the 2024 AACF! We’ll see you in downtown Raleigh soon!

We're also proud to partner with various organizations throughout Wake County to further celebrate the diversity of African American culture. With these collaborations, we hope to draw even more attention to the AACF and reach people who may not have otherwise been able to participate in the festival. So be sure to keep an eye out for our outreach initiatives leading up to the 2024 event!

 
 

Your support is essential for making this year's African American Cultural Festival a success. We invite you to join us in creating an inclusive, diverse and lively event that celebrates the unique culture of African Americans here in our community and around the world. Come out to downtown Raleigh on Labor Day weekend for a celebration like no other!

#DonateWithUs - Help support the AACF by donating to our cause. Your donation will go towards funding our programming and outreach initiatives, helping us to make the African American Cultural Festival an even bigger success each year. Show your support by donating today! CashApp $AACF

We hope you can join us for an unforgettable weekend of celebration and culture at the 2024 African American Cultural Festival! Don't miss out on your chance to join us as we showcase the art, music, and food that makes this event so special. We look forward to seeing you there!

Paying it Forward -

As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the African American Cultural Festival, we are reminded of the sacrifices that were made to enable us to gather on city streets and celebrate our heritage and culture. What was once unimaginable is now tangible and what a wonderful gift that is!

We ask for your monetary gifts in support of our mission. Your donation will help us continue the work of providing quality programming that remains free and open to the public.The African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information about how you can help support this amazing event, please visit www.aacfestival.org/donate or contact us directly at info@aacfestival.org. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the African American Cultural Festival!

The African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. CashApp $AACF

We look forward to seeing you in downtown Raleigh on Labor Day weekend for an unforgettable celebration of African American culture at the 2024 African American Cultural Festival! Come join us as we come together to celebrate and share the unique cultural traditions of our community.

 

2024 Governing Board

Dr. Laura Bethea, AACF Chair

Dr. Laura Bethea-Lewis, AACF Chair

Wake Technical Community College -
President's Office

Allen Mason, AACF Vice Chair

Allen Mason, AACF Vice-Chair

Sickle Cell Account Executive
American Red Cross

Pierre Olds, AACF Treasurer

Pierre Olds, AACF Treasurer

Tori Spaugh, AACF Secretary

Tori Spaugh, AACF Secretary

City of Raleigh - Program Director

Shan-Tika Watkins

Shan-Tika Watkins

Anthony Pope

Anthony Pope

Retired Educator/Administrator

Donna-maria “Dia” Harris

Donna-maria “Dia” Harris

North Carolina Department of Revenue
Public Affairs Director

Ayana Simon

Ayana Simon

Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation - Director of NCCARE360

The Honorable Damion McCullers

The Honorable Damion McCullers

Wake County District Court Judge - NC 10th Judicial District

Rob Stephens

Rob Stephens

Organizer, Repairers of the Breach and Trainer, Racial Equity Institute

Konteh Farrar

Konteh Farrar

North Carolina State University

Cheniqua Lassiter

Cheniqua Lassiter

Cary Academy - Associate Director of Enrollment Management

Dr. Deborah A Royals Mizerk

Dr. Deborah A Royals Mizerk

AACF Board Member - Village Stage Coordinator

Allen Mason, AACF Vice Chair

Kimberly, McGhee

Entrepreneur

Pam Thompson Smith, AACF Staff

Pam Thompson Smith

Executive Director/CEO

 
 
 

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