The festival boasts authentic African food, music, dance performances, artwork and even a fashion show featuring traditional African attire.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — This weekend, African cultures will be celebrated at the annual Glimpse of Africa festival through authentic artwork, music, food and more.
The Glimpse of Africa Festival—now in its sixth year—aims to educate the community about African culture and support immigrants who are adjusting to life in West Michigan.
The event is organized by A Glimpse of Africa, a Grand Rapids nonprofit that works to connect African immigrants and refugees with resources after they move to the area. The organization also promotes immigrant-owned businesses and highlights African culture as a whole.
Fridah Kanini, founder and CEO of A Glimpse of Africa, said the festival is a way for immigrants to bring their culture to their new community.
“It is absolutely amazing to have the opportunity to share our culture here, because now this is our home. It is important to be integrated in the community, and having that sense of belonging, it’s very powerful for our new Americans and being able to share and also educate people about refugees and immigrants in our community,” Kanini said. “It empowers them, but also it educates the community to be more welcoming and also to create a wonderful space for all of us to thrive as one community.”
The festival will feature authentic dance and musical performances as well as family-friendly activities, crafts and educational opportunities. There will also be authentic African food and vendors selling African prints, carvings and more.
A Glimpse of Africa usually holds a fashion show highlighting African fashion, but this year, the show will be a bit different. Organizers are encouraging attendees to wear their traditional African attire and hop on the runway.
A special ceremony, called the festival’s “largest and most powerful moment,” will show off flags from all 54 African countries.
Kanini said the festival isn’t just a way to elevate African culture, but to bring the community together.
“We want to welcome everybody from all backgrounds and everyone from different countries, different states. They are very, very welcome,” she said. “This is a wonderful event that brings people together. It is a way for us to unify the West Michigan community as well as Kent County.”
Kanini said she hopes attendees will not only learn something new about African culture, but about Glimpse of Africa and how they support the community.
The festival runs Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and again on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is being held at Calder Plaza and is free to attend.
Learn more about the festival here.