Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest returns to celebrate Black excellence
Returning for Memorial Day weekend, Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest is more than just a festival. It's a celebration of Black excellence.
Ohio Black Expo is a statewide nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of life, success and well-being for African Americans in Ohio. The group raises funds for year-round programs and scholarships through the annual Riverfront Culture Fest.
The multipurpose event supports Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, empowers youth, focuses on higher education, promotes health and wellness and provides ample networking opportunities, culminating in the two-day Riverfront Culture Fest.
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Offering live music by local and nationally known artists, the fest showcases the diversity of sounds that are a part of the rich African American culture from R&B, hip-hop and jazz to neo soul, Afrobeat and the fusion of classical strings with African drums.
There's a little bit of something for everyone at this educational and entertaining gathering. If you plan to go, here is some information you need to know.
When is Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest?
Saturday's hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday's hours are noon to 8 p.m.
Where will the event be held?
The festival takes place in Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
How much does it cost to attend?
Through Friday, single-day tickets are $20 and two-day tickets are $35. Beginning Saturday, these prices increase by $5. All tickets come with additional processing fees.
Also, VIP packages are available through Sunday for $1,000, which covers eight weekend passes, premium seating for eight, 16 drink tickets and table service for adult beverages during peak hours.
Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/44SgXm3.
Will there be food and drinks?
You'll have your pick from more than 20 food trucks, as well as artisan and craft beverages. Plus, there is to be more than 100 Black-owned vendors at the fest.
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What kind of entertainment can I expect?
Saturday begins with the youth and community kickoff parade featuring HBCU-style bands, drumlines, dance teams and community organizations.
Saturday night's live acts include Meaca Moore, City Newwss, DJ IQ, Jae Esquire, Brand Nubian with Grand Puba, Sadat X and Lord Jamar, and AJ McQueen, ending with a performance by headliner Amerie, known for songs such as "Why Don't We Fall in Love" and "1 Thing."
Sunday's musical lineup is to be capped off by singer-rapper Dwele and Grammy-winning jazz singer-songwriter and bassist esperanza spalding.
In addition, Saturday is to offer COSI science-kit giveaways, an HBCU Connect Zone and a college fair with Columbus HBCU ambassadors. Sunday's highlights include a performance by Urban Strings and minidocumentaries about inventor Granville T. Woods, known as "Black Edison," and the Randolph Freedpeople.
To see a full schedule of events, go to: ohioblackexpo.com/2024-schedule.
Where does the "expo" part come in?
Besides entertainment, the Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest includes free virtual real-estate development workshops (dates and times to be announced) plus other workshops, networking events and resource connections including:
6-9 p.m. Thursday: Level Up Youth Summit for ages 13-18 at COSI, 333 W. Broad St. Registration is free at ohioblackexpo.com/youthsummit.
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday: The State of Black Ohio (SOBO) by State of Ohio Collective featuring activist, author and CEO Maggie Anderson as keynote speaker at The Junto, 77 Belle St. Register for free at theohiocollective.org.
1-5 p.m. Friday: Health and Vitality Workshop, presented by Alkahlivin at The Junto with keynote speaker, coach Robert Moore ("How the Way You Eat Affects Your Health"), yoga, a sound bath and more. Tickets are $34 and $42.50 (plus fees) at bit.ly/3QPgNGa.
A networking mixer at The Junto immediately follows the workshop, with food by Flavor 91, music by Dr. View and J Rawls and appearances by X CLAN’s Brother J, Brand Nubian’s Sadat X and Maggie Anderson.
For more information about the Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest, visit ohioblackexpo.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest set for May 25-26
