The community’s festival to celebrate 25 years of power and pride with an eye on the future

by Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr.
After years of struggle and some bad weather, the 25th anniversary of African World Festival is viewed by festival organizers as a jumping off point that will lay a solid foundation for the event for years to come.

African World Festival (AWF) will run from August 3 to 5 at Henry Maier Festival Park on the city's lakefront.

The festival, also referred to by some as "The Meeting Place," promotes and shares the culture and heritage of all people of African descent with the global community.

Organizers and volunteers of AWF have striven since 1982 to make sure the festival represents and celebrates the wonders and contributions of all Africans and African descendants.

The festival educates attendees about African life and rituals through its cultural village and opening ceremony, one of the highlights of the three-day event.

Oshiyemi Adelabu, African World Festival's board president, is excited about what will be in store for festivalgoers as they walk through the gates of Maier Festival Park.

"The success of this year will be a spring board for the future," Adelabu said. "We're trying to move (the festival) to a position where we're on par with Indiana's Black Expo in Indianapolis and the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

"I don't see why we can't achieve that," Adelabu added. "But it will take a lot of hard work, dedication and a strong financial foundation."

Tejumola F. Ologboni, who has been involved with African World Festival from its inception and who presides over the opening ceremony, also sees bigger and better things for the future of the ethnic festival.

"We have overcome many obstacles-mainly weather problems--and have been successful in keeping the festival going each year. That's an accomplishment," Tejumola said.

There will be four stages at AWF this year. Two of the stages will be for local and national entertainment. The third stage will be the always-popular Gospel Stage.

The fourth stage will be the Cultural Stage. Ko-Thi is scheduled to perform on this stage, as well as a group out of Chicago called African Beat.

One of the cultural events will be the Black Knowledge Bowl, a fun, educational event on Black History featuring teams competing on local and international history.

Adelabu noted the efforts of Alderman Joe Davis who chaired the cultural stage, bringing in sponsorship and talent.

Once again, the Marketplace will have a wide array merchandise. Merchants will display authentic artwork, unique jewelry and traditional clothing.

"The vendors are diverse," Adelabu said. "(There will be a) lot of good bargains.

The food offerings will "hypnotize" the palate of festivalgoers with traditional African, African American and southern culinary classics.

"We’d like to have Caribbean food at the festival," Adelabu added. "We’re working to make that happen."

The entertainment line-up has a little something for everyone and is one of the best line-ups the festival has ever had.

Frankie Beverly and Maze returns to the festival, and will be joined the O'Jays, Charlie Wilson, Tony, Toni, Tone, Dwele, Bobby Blue Bland, the Superstars of Jazz Fusion, Kurt Carr, the Chicago Mass Choir and WHEDA’s Homeowner's Rally featuring Shirley Caesar.

There will also be activities for children and youth, and sports activities.

"Everything is coming together," Adelabu said. "The board understands its objective and there's been a lot of strategic planning before and for after the festival," he said.

Said Ologboni, "I think this year's festival will be one of the best-if not the best-that we've ever put on.

Adelabu said festival organizers plan to have ongoing activities throughout the rest of the year and next year leading up to AWF ’08.

"We want to make sure African World Festival stays in the consciousness of the community and we’re going to be doing positive things to assist that," Adelabu said.

Adelabu and Ologboni praised the hard work of the board and all the volunteers past and present-as well as those who have passed on--who have volunteered their time, talent and energy to make the past 24 years memorable and successful.

"Those individuals who have never received payment; just volunteer. Those are the ones I'm impressed with," Ologboni said.

"I appreciate their dedication. We’re dedicating this year's festival to those volunteers."

Adelabu revealed AWF plans to honor the staff and volunteers who have helped make the festival a success. Special honors will be given to those individuals who have volunteered for all 25 years.

"It hasn't been easy. But then again, it (AWF) is a labor of love," Adelabu said. "I thank the board members for hanging in and helping bring to the community a festival it can be proud of."

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, limit two children per adult (some restrictions apply).

Tickets are available at participating Lena's, Pick ’n’ Save, the Shops of the Grand Avenue and Tri-City Banks. For additional information and online ticket sales, visit us online at: Africanworldfestival-milwaukee.com.