“A Premier African-influenced Festival”
– YES Magazine
About the Madaraka Festival
The Madaraka Festival, which was sponsored by Amazon, Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, KEXP and other organizations and headlined by D’Banj in 2022 exceeded expectations. The 2023 festival is uniquely curated to empower cultural diversity and inclusion across the African diaspora in Seattle and across the United States with an aim of reaching more than 30 million people online. Madaraka Festival has deepened the relationship between African and African American communities, and fostered partnerships with other global communities while shifting narratives and honoring cultural dynamics.
In 2023, One Vibe Media will be hosting a series of concerts across the United States which will culminate in Seattle. The concert will be a celebration of community and culture bringing together different African musicians such as Sauti Sol, Eddy Kenzo, King Kaka, Draze, Anthony Cole, and other award winning and influential artists. One Vibe Media is dedicated to giving part of the proceeds from the Madaraka Festival 2023 to One Vibe Africa, MAMA HOPE, and Refugee Artisan Initiative who through their work are supporting community-led change and impacting over 3.5 million people in the United States and Africa.
Our Goal
This year, Madaraka Festival will honor African and African American culture while elevating their voices and creating community cohesion.
The 2023 festival is projected to be the biggest year yet! The festival tour will kick off on May 16th in New York, followed by performances in Atlanta, Dallas, and Seattle.
Proceeds from Madaraka Festival go towards One Vibe Africa’s, MAMA HOPE, and Refugee Artisan Initiative who through their work are supporting community-led change and impacting over 3.5 million people in the United States and Africa.
Our hope is to make Madaraka Festival an annual pilgrimage for African-Americans and other Africans in the diaspora that have a deep desire to consistently connect with the motherland, Africa.
“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!