“A Premier African-influenced Festival”
– YES Magazine
Mission
To galvanize African youth through arts and music.
Promise
Through music, we inspire and empower African youth to rise up, claim their future, and transform the world.
Approach
We use the shared experience of music to help African youth create a vibrant future. We produce cultural events, education, music, and art that gives voice to the African narrative, connects our communities, and inspires positive change.
Customers
Our primary customers are Africans, ages 13-65, for whom music and art is transformative. These people can see themselves – and their future – reflected in the Madaraka artists.
Our secondary customers are the African Americans and other people and businesses in the local communities where Madaraka takes place. We intentionally create a platform and opportunities for these communities to connect and rise up.
Finally, Madaraka Festival welcomes all walks of life to discover and celebrate the power and beauty of African music and culture.
About the Madaraka Festival
Madaraka Festival is more than just a concert. It’s a vibrant celebration of African music, culture, and community built on the belief that music can bring people together.
Madaraka Festival, which draws its name from the Kenyan day of liberation, was founded in Seattle in 2014 to deepen the relationship between African and African American communities, while increasing diversity and inclusion. Today, Madaraka Festival is one of the largest and most influential African music events in the world, taking place in 13 cities, with an expected reach of 150,000 in person and 50 million digitally.
Madaraka Festival celebrates the rich African artistic expression, fosters a spirit of unity and understanding, and inspires positive change.
“You have delivered a remarkable African concert showcasing one of Africa’s biggest exports and wisdom. Because culture and music carry the African values the world needs to know and assimilate. Beyond the colonialism and slavery and the brutal exploitation we see even today of African resources and people. Thank you Simon and the team for uplifting the African narrative to one of pride and exceptionalism. I am so happy that you and team have made such magnificent progress in a year that I have walked alongside you. You have my endearing and full support. So take a bow.”
– Elder Jay Naidoo
South African businessman, politician and social activist.
Previous Sponsors & Partners
We have been honored to work with these amazing Brands, Institutions, Organizations, Businesses and Individuals for Madaraka Festival since 2014. We couldn’t be more grateful to you for trusting us with your Brand.
The Recording Academy, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Omprakash Foundation, EMP Museum, Arunga Music, Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, Seattle Art Museum, Zaki Rose, Café Avole, African-American Kenyan Women’s Interconnect, Taya Sola Company, London Bridge Studios, Africatown Center For Innovation, African Chamber of Commerce, Kenyan-American Youth Association, 206 Zulu, A Real Grip, Big World Breaks Entertainment, DedSilva International Shipping, M-ACCESS, Talanta Afrika, Nyanza Reproductive, Liverpool VCT, What’s Good Network, Liquid Telecom, PAWA254, Ciala Resort, Silverstone Air, Coca – Cola, Kisumu Beach Resort, Urban Radio, Radio Nam Lolwe, Dala FM, Victoria Tours & Travel, The Standard Group PLC, Royal City, West Luxury Homes, White Hill Villa, Homeland Events, The Gig Dynamics, Parkview Hotel, Hotel Shamma, Sinachi Tours & Travel, Sky FM, Anyitko PR, Tembea Kisumu, Amazing Kisumu, Kisumu Insyder, Children Amusement World, Zaira Tours & Travel, Nairobi Horns Project, Koko Media, Lolwe Television Network, Pambo Beauty Salon, The Grand Royal Swiss, PriniasHotel, Ounga Commercial Agencies, The Kisumu County Government, Converge Media, Common Good Church, RVC Seattle, Langston, Wa Na Wari, Value Culture, Mercii Ministry Chicago, IL (USA), Peace Works United Tacoma, WA (USA), Billian Music Family Foundation, Tribeless Youth, Afro Diaspora SF, Dope Music Festival, Northwest Arts Streaming Hub, Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders-Kenya (CGHRD), Roots International, Bellevue Youth Theater, Friends of Waterfront Seattle, AFIA, N33D Creative, Rooted in Vibrant Communities, (rvc), OST, ∞music, Amazon, W Hotel, Wayapay, The Next 50, Perimia, Seattle Afrique, Rooted in Vibrant Communities, Siliana Consulting, Friends of Waterfront Seattle, The State Hotel Seattle, OST, One Vibe Media, N33D Creative, Microsoft, North West Film Festival, KEXP, Lim’s Choma Zone, 91.3 KBCS, South Seattle Emerald, Value Culture, Converge Music, Common Good, Community Health Plan of Washington, Black Dot Underground, Arte Noir, Alaska Airlines, African Father In America Podcast, among others!