Umoja african festival

A grassroots effort developed out of the idea of unity (Umoja, the word for “unity” in Swahili) and takes seriously the goal to connect, revive, educate, and unify the marginalized voices of all those in the African Diaspora currently living in the bay area.

Originating in 2013, The Umoja Festival set forth to bring the various prominent African communities - Kenyans, Ghanaians, Ethiopians, Nigerians, Eritreans, South Africans, Egyptians, and Senegalese, to name a few - to the forefront of Oakland's cultural renaissance that is currently underway.

The festival gathered local African food vendors, artisans, some of the best local Deejays, and live musical talent. The aim is to promote a well-rounded representation of the communal African spirit.