The Black Ourstory Festival was a celebration of Black culture both on the continent and the diaspora. The festival, in its second year, featured speakers, panel discussions, children’s activities, e-games and the launch of the Gen Zed Africa Podcast. It took place at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel February 24-25, 2024. It brought together the diaspora and Ghanaians to experience the richness and diversity of our people.
“We had an amazing second edition of the Black Ourstory Festival and we are moving forward with the goal of changing and transforming the narrative of African people, one amazing story at a time,” said the Festival Coordinator Sherrie Thompson. She said the festival’s goal is to celebrate and uplift Black culture and the history of our people both in the diaspora and in Africa. Nanette Atuahene is the Producer of the festival and passionate about making change in Africa. She was raised in the United States to parents from Kumasi. She has enjoyed contributing to making change through her work in Ghana. This festival is a way for her to continue helping to change the narrative while curating an experience that benefits the growth of our people.
At the heart of the festival was the dedication to holistic well-being as a people. The panel discussions on food security, eating well, and learning about growing our own food was very important in the dialogue. Speakers included MamiSerwaa Amoakohene, CEO of 3Ps, Portia Richardson, Founder. Tumaini DC, Dellasie Safoaa Aning, Recording Artist/Entrepreneur, Dr. Wanda Lewis, PhD, Emmanuel Ashie, the Garden Architect and more.
The festival’s pop-up museum was a gallery of inspiration as it featured portraits of icons in history whose legacies have transcended borders. The likes of Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Bantu Stephen Biko, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were featured. Patrons marveled at what they learned from scanning the QR codes so they could understand more about their impact in Black history. It was also a great experience for the youth who could play games and participate in arts and crafts.
A highlight of the festival was the launch of the Gen Zed Podcast, launched by Africa Global Radio. It was a dynamic and highly engaging session as the young people listened the the podcast which featured youth from across the continent of Africa sharing their stories and experiences in education, work and daily living.
Overall, the Black Ourstory Festival was more than an event; it was a celebration of heritage, a testament to the unyielding spirit of Black culture.
