From July 12th to 14th, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History proudly presents the 41st Annual African World Festival. This three-day celebration at Hart Plaza will showcase the beauty, strength, and spirit of the African Diaspora, attracting nearly 20,000 attendees to enjoy a variety of performances, vendors, food, clothing, health products, visual arts, live demonstrations, community resources, and much more.
2024 AWF Featured Headliners:
Third World Known for their “reggae-fusion” style that blends R&B, funk, pop, rock, dancehall, and rap, Third World is one of Jamaica’s most beloved crossover acts, having performed on six continents.
Rapsody An acclaimed American rapper, Rapsody is celebrated for her intricate rhyme patterns, metaphors, and wordplay. She is often recognized as one of the best lyricists in hip-hop today, with influences from Jay-Z, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, and MC Lyte.
Thandiswa Mazwai A major figure in post-Apartheid South African music, Thandiswa Mazwai has enjoyed a successful solo career following her tenure with Bongo Maffin, performing globally and earning numerous awards.
Dumpstaphunk Emerging from the New Orleans music scene, Dumpstaphunk has established itself as one of the city’s funkiest bands. With roots in the Neville and Meters families, their performances are known for their deep, gritty grooves that inspire audiences to dance.
This year’s festival will celebrate our community’s shared past, present, and future, providing a space for exchanging stories and honoring our collective journey.
Additional Performances:
- Fyütch: A GRAMMY-nominated artist who delivers high-energy dance shows for kids, focusing on themes of self-love and empowerment.
- Mokoomba: A dynamic six-man band from Victoria Falls, hailed as one of the most exciting African bands of the 21st century.
- Charity: Her music evokes a deeply personal and sacred experience, embodying strength and Black heritage.
- Larry Lee: Former NFL player and professional musician who founded his band in the early 2000s.
- Vox Sambou: A multilingual MC, poet, and performer, fluent in Haitian, French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Drey Skonie and The kLOUDs Band: Known for their vibrant and energetic performances.
- Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit: An internationally acclaimed youth development program empowering young people through professional performing arts training.
- Allen Dennard: A professional trumpeter, composer, recording artist, and activist from Detroit.
- TeMaTe Institute for Black Dance and Culture: A dance justice and cultural equity organization.
There’s something for everyone at the African World Festival! Experience the incredible lineup of nationally recognized and award-winning artists and acts throughout the weekend.
The festival is free for all Charles H. Wright Museum members. Join today and be part of this vibrant celebration!