“A Premier African-influenced Festival”
– YES Magazine
About the Madaraka Festival
One Vibe is proud to unveil the eighth annual Madaraka Festival on Saturday, August 13th and Sunday August 14th. Madaraka Festival brings Africa’s finest musicians and creatives together with world renowned artists and innovators for a celebration of music and civic purpose. The festival will be held from 2:00 pm at Pier 62 at Waterfront Park in Seattle, Washington where we will have live musical performances, African food, and art! The festival will also be streamed for a global audience on YouTube and Facebook. In these unprecedented times, it is vital that we stand in solidarity with one another and enjoy the creativity that has sustained us through challenging times. What better way to live in the post-pandemic period than being the Global Village that we are!
Since 2014, Madaraka Festival has attracted more than 12,000 patrons & reached over 15 million people annually while empowering diversity and inclusion in the Seattle community. Madaraka Festival has uniquely deepened the relationship between African, African American communities, and fostered partnerships with other international communities while shifting narrative and honoring cultural dynamics. In 2019, this international cultural extravaganza was a culmination of an entire week of activities in Kisumu, Kenya where One Vibe Africa originated. In 2020, Madaraka happened virtually and raised seed capital for 106 women who run small scale businesses in three Kenyan slums. Madaraka provided an opportunity for nearly 100 African-Americans to participate in cross-cultural exchange programs. In 2021, Madaraka Festival was held at Bellevue Youth Theater’s outdoor amphitheater headlined by Grammy Award nominated reggae legend, Pato Banton as part of his world peace tour.
Our Goal
This year, Madaraka Festival will honor African and African American culture while elevating their voices and creating community cohesion. The founder of One Vibe Africa and Madaraka Festival Simon Javan Okelo, has curated a lineup that will be unveiled as we get closer to the date of the event. We are excited to come together in the spirit of unity to collaborate with Converge Media, Common Good Church, RVC Seattle, Langston Seattle, Wa Na Wari, N333D Creative, NW Film Forum, NW Folklife Festival, Microsoft, and other organizations, sponsors, and partners to bring to you the 2022 Madaraka Festival.
“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!