Event Overview:
Central Honors Philando returns Sunday, Aug. 23, at St. Paul's Dunning Lot, marking a decade since Philando Castile's death during a Falcon Heights traffic stop. Founded in 2016 by his high school classmates, the free annual gathering funds a scholarship in Castile's memory and brings live performances from Ken-C, Lt. Sunnie, Charles Foster, Se'Anna. on da Mic and Brandyn Lee Tulloch and The Poetic Roots. Castile spent 15 years working in St. Paul Public Schools' nutrition services, known for knowing all 500 students he served by name and food allergy.
Ten years after Philando Castile was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, his community continues to gather in his name.
Central Honors Philando returns Sunday, Aug. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Dunning Lot, 1221 Marshall Ave., St. Paul. Held annually on the last Sunday before the Minnesota State Fair, the free community gathering was founded by Philando’s high school classmates in 2016 as a way to celebrate his life and raise money for a scholarship in his memory. It has grown into an annual tradition rooted in community-building, peaceful dialogue, and healing.
The event is hosted by Tish Jones with DJ Huh?What?? and features a full afternoon of live performances.
Performance Schedule
1:30 p.m. | Ken-C
2 p.m. | Lt. Sunnie
2:45 p.m. | Charles Foster
3:30 p.m. | Se’Anna. on da Mic
4:15 p.m. | Brandyn Lee Tulloch and The Poetic Roots
About Philando Castile
Philando Divall Castile was born in 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent the majority of his life in St. Paul after his mother moved the family there in search of a better life. He dedicated 15 years to the St. Paul Public School District, working as a nutrition services assistant at Chelsea Heights Elementary School and Arlington High School, now Washington Technology Magnet School, before being promoted to nutrition services supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori Magnet School in August 2014.
He knew the names of all 500 students he served every day, along with their food allergies. He was known for his quiet and calm demeanor, his big heart, and his huge smile.
On July 6, 2016, Philando was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights while attempting to comply with the officer’s request to retrieve his ID. He was struck five of the seven times the officer fired. He died at the scene. The officer’s complete acquittal drew national and international attention and devastated Philando’s family, friends, fellow Central alumni, and people across the world.
Central Honors Philando exists to keep his personal legacy alive, support his family through the scholarship fund, and work toward a future where no family has to experience the same loss.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: Dunning Lot, 1221 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104