• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Sunday, June 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Little Africa Festival returns with first-ever parade

by Solomon Gustavo
July 28, 2019
46
SHARES
915
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
Submitted photo Participants of the 2018 Little Africa Festival dancing in the street.

Community building is like weaving a quilt — a patchwork of foreign hues form the greater fabric. Without being fully sewn in, people all too easily tear apart, says African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) CEO Gene Gelgelu.

“When people feel they belong to a place, they invest,” said Gelgelu. AEDS is a nonprofit that helps African immigrants with financial literacy, business loans, homeownership education, business development training and technical assistance for businesses. The organization also specializes in the community-building block of cultural engagement.

Since 2014, AEDS has held a Little Africa Festival in the Midway area of St. Paul, roughly between Hamline and Prior avenues. Because of its concentration of African immigrant restaurants and businesses, Gelgelu and AEDS have dubbed it Little Africa.

The point of the festival is simple — they want African immigrant communities to invest in the Twin Cities, and for the metro to get to know them.

In its first year, the festival drew 200 people. By 2018, attendance eclipsed 5,000. AEDS wanted to capitalize on its success. “We need to do something bold, different and big,” said Gelgelu. He and his team were considering their options, and, while researching a possible parade, found there was no such African parade in the state.

- ADVERTISEMENT -
Submitted photo Festival-goers appreciate art exhibited during the 2018 festival.

After a year of finding sponsors and securing permits, the 2019 Little Africa Festival will kick off with a parade for the first time. Parade floats and groups will feature the many varied African immigrant communities and their cultural dress, dances and treats.

“We are going to African-dance in the streets of the Capitol city,” said Gelgelu.

There will also be floats and groups from non-African people. That goes for the food and merchandise vendors and entertainment at the festival, said Gelgelu, an intention aimed at weaving the African immigrant cultures with other immigrant cultures and traditions already established in the Twin Cities.

Featured musical acts will include Congolese musician Siama Matuzungidi, Ethiopian singer Genet Abate, and Nigerian singer Carolyne Naomi.

The Little Africa Parade is Saturday, Aug. 3 from 4:30 to 9 pm, running along Snelling Ave. and finishing at Hamline Park located at 1564 Lafond Ave. in St. Paul.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Little Africa Fest is the next day, Sunday, Aug. 4 from noon to 9 pm at Hamline Park.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Educational (and fun) events in August to avoid ‘brain-drain’

Next Post

Lenora Bogan

Solomon Gustavo

Solomon Gustavo was a contributing writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

You Might Also Like

No Content Available
Next Post
Lenora Bogan

Lenora Bogan

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Legendary sports journalist has mastered the art of storytelling 

Legendary sports journalist has mastered the art of storytelling 

2023 legislative session will have a profound and lasting impact

Black Business Spotlight: 5enses Design & Home Staging

Black Business Spotlight: 5enses Design & Home Staging

Mobile campaign aims to heighten mental health awareness

Mobile campaign aims to heighten mental health awareness

Know your operator: Tamica Washington

Know your operator: Tamica Washington

tan and black dogs

What’s too hot for animals left outside in the summer?

Minneapolis
◉
73°
Clear
5:28 am8:54 pm CDT
MonTueWedThuFri
84/64°F
81/61°F
79/59°F
82/63°F
84/64°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 7
April 7 @ 7:30 pm-June 4 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

Jun 3
June 3-June 4

FANS Ultra Race

Jun 4
9:00 am-3:00 pm

Adventurama

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...