There’s a special kind of magic happening in the world right now. Everywhere I look, the African diaspora is gathering through music, food, fashion, and conversation—bridging oceans and time zones to create something new. From London to Lagos, Accra to Atlanta, the rise of diaspora-centered festivals has been impossible to ignore. And I love it.
Because these aren’t just parties. They’re cultural reunions. They’re spaces where we recognize ourselves in each other, no matter where we’ve landed in the world.
That’s why when I heard about Afro+ Fest making its debut in Washington, D.C. on August 31, 2025, I knew this wasn’t just another date on the summer calendar. It’s a moment.
The Soundtrack of a Global Black Family
Afro+ Fest is bringing together an all-star lineup that feels like the perfect reflection of who we are. Gunna represents hip-hop’s pulse, Asake will close the night with Afrobeats’ infectious energy, and artists like Machel Montano, Shatta Wale, Shenseea, Uncle Waffles, and Wande Coal add the sounds of soca, dancehall, amapiano, and more into the mix.
And then there’s D.C.’s own Shy Glizzy, grounding the festival in the city’s homegrown pride. This is the kind of lineup that makes you realize you can travel the diaspora without ever leaving the festival grounds.
More Than Music
What excites me most about this new wave of festivals, including Afro+ Fest, is how they are designed to celebrate the fullness of our culture.
At RFK Festival Grounds, you won’t just hear the music. You’ll taste the diaspora in global street food stalls, see it in bold fashion activations, shop it in a marketplace of Black-owned brands, and feel it through immersive art installations. It’s a cultural passport, stamped in sound, flavor, and vision.
A Dream That Took a Decade
Founder Michael Awosanya calls Afro+ Fest “the block party we’ve dreamed about for a decade.” That resonates deeply with me. Because dreams like this don’t happen overnight. They’re built in quiet moments, fueled by community vision, and realized when cities like D.C. recognize the value of Black creativity.
With the support of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Events DC, Afro+ Fest isn’t just arriving. It’s planting roots. And I have no doubt it will grow into a tradition.
Why I’m Cheering This On
The more spaces we create like Afro+ Fest, the more opportunities we have to connect, to build, and to see ourselves reflected on the biggest stages. I’ve witnessed what happens when the diaspora comes together. It’s joy, it’s pride, and it’s a reminder that we are bigger than the borders that separate us.
So here’s to August 31 in D.C.—to the music, the markets, the food, the art. To gathering as one and remembering we’ve always been connected.
📅 Sunday, August 31, 2025 | 12 PM – 11 PM
📍 RFK Festival Grounds, Washington, D.C.
🎟 Tickets: theafroplus.com
📱 Follow: @TheAfroPlus