Since 1976, the African American Festival has invigorated the city of Baltimore with good food, great music and family-friendly entertainment while simultaneously encouraging free enterprise and fostering a sense of Black pride. Marking its 40th anniversary this summer, the annual "Celebration of Life, Music, and Culture" will take place on July 2nd-3rd at the Camden Yards Sport Complex, energizing the city ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
Co-hosted by actress Vivica A. Fox and comedian Jonathan Slocumb, the two-day event is packed with performances that are sure to please. Headliner Common promises to mesmerize the crowd with his charismatic flow. Old school, new school, no school rules with a diverse line-up of singers will satisfy R&B lovers of any generation. Soulful artists Angie Stone and Joe will be joined by the unique vocals of Estelle, Goapele and Ro James. Ruff Endz, Ex Music and Joe Maye (seen this season on The Voice) will bring their hometown pride and talents to the stage. Also, gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark will host a Gospel Celebration that promises to leave the crowd with a praise on their lips. Stellar Award-winning powerhouses Anthony Brown & group therAPy and Mary Mary will bless the streets of Baltimore with spirit-filled music.
The music alone is enough reason to attend. But the AAF has much more to offer as well. The Empowerment Tent will feature dynamic speakers like Pastor Jamal Bryant and Kwame Jackson to motivate and inspire you to reach your goals. A new festival activation, BrownGirl Village, is aimed at girls of color between ages 12-17 and will feature photo sessions, charm classes, Brown Girl Entrepreneurs and more. In addition to the BGV Tent, they will also debut their one-day retreat during “The Road to the Festival” events on Saturday, May 21st at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. Actress/Singer China Anne McClain and reality TV star Cyrene Tankard will accompany Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Comptroller Joan Pratt to speak to the young girls about image, inner beauty and more.
Attendees can also take advantage of beauty demonstrations, health & wellness experts, STEM experiences, community forums and more. Did we mention that the festival is totally free? That's right, two full days of incredible entertainment, motivational speeches, empowering tools and spiritual inspiration at no charge. Don't miss out on this milestone event. Check out the promotional video below, visit the website for additional details and follow the African American Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.