Vendors come from around the diaspora for Nashville’s African Street Festival.
Since 1983, the African American Cultural Alliance has operated as a non-profit organization, founded to promote and celebrate the cultural and historical backgrounds of people of African descent throughout the African Diaspora. Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22, 2019, brings their 37th Annual African Street Festival. The festival has free admission and free parking and is handicap accessible through free golf cart rides. This year’s theme is “Ubuntu — I Am Because We Are.”
Nashville’s Annual African Street festival, held at Hadley Park adjacent to Tennessee State University and hosted by the African American Cultural Alliance (AACA), is a phenomenal, family-oriented festival which has grown continuously and now attracts thousands who are interested in African and African American culture. The festival activities include the Art Village featuring local artists and the Children’s Village, featuring arts and crafts, drumming, dance, storytelling and more.
All attendees can enjoy local artists, music and movement, spoken word, local history, drama, dance, physical fitness, games, language & literacy and health. Attendees can also enjoy authentic African, American and other cuisines representing the Diaspora; an eclectic mix of live music and other performances, such as African, Reggae, Latin, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Neo-Soul, Country, Blues, African Drumming; dance; spoken word; and over 120 International Vendors.
A new wrinkle this year is the Kids Great Debate. Marquita Holt and the Glow Up are excited to announce the First Annual Debate held during the African Street Festival. As we know, our children are eloquent, passionate speakers just waiting for the right platform. Join them at Hadley Park Community Center on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 11:00 am. The Topic: “Is Hip Hop Music a Bad Influence on Young People?” You are invited to join the journey with them as they cultivate the young debaters to argue their points. All families are invited to attend. For more information, please email marquitaholt@gmail.com.
There will be an Opening Night International Music Block Party on Friday from 6-10 pm. The festival runs from 10 am until 9 pm Saturday and Sunday. Note: Anyone caught selling illegal items (e.g., animals, water, food (including cookies, etc.) will asked to leave the festival and goods confiscated, with a police escort if necessary. Retail vendors are not allowed to sell water or food. Food vendors are not allowed to sell any retail items.
The festival has garnered local media attention and remains one of the city’s premiere events attracting people of all ages, from all walks of life and from all sectors of the region. And the celebration is now also expanding to include the cultures of the Caribbean, North, Central and South America and other places around the world where Africa is also represented in its people and cultures. The African Street Festival event can also give companies and other organizations a unique opportunity to support one of the largest festivals of this type in the Southeast. Please contact them about becoming a sponsor or visit their profile at GivingMatters.com to learn more about them.
The African American Cultural Alliance engages in many activities throughout the year including a Vanderbilt annual Civil Rights Tour, Annual African American History Conference at TSU Avon Williams Campus, Civil Rights and Black History Programs, a Malcolm X Birthday celebration, the African Street Festival in Jackson, TN and in Hadley Park, Nashville, TN; Celebration of Cultures, TSU Homecoming, U.S.C.T. Tribute at Veterans National Cemetary, and Kwanzaa Week.
