Celebrate the vibrant cultures and performing arts traditions of Africa and the African Diaspora in a free, family-friendly festival at Chochenyo Park.
Explore a kaleidoscopic array of music, dance, drumming, hands-on arts activities, food and more! Enjoy youth activities with Art of the African Diaspora, Prescott Circus, and ARPD, along with a pre-festival class by Fua Dia Kongo. Tae Poetically Divine will emcee an afternoon of performances by Alphabet Rockers, Duniya Dance & Drum Company, Mbira dzaSoko, Michele’s Soul Line Dance, Mufaro weDzimbahwe and NKAN.
Unity Fest is presented in partnership with the City of Alameda as part of the Rhythmix in the Parks free family concert and festival series, bringing people of all ages together to experience and explore music, dance, visual art and educational opportunities all summer long in Alameda’s City Parks.
Performing Artists
Alphabet Rockers
Alphabet Rockers make music that sparks change. Founded by Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Shepherd (he/him/they), this GRAMMY & EMMY winning group creates brave spaces to shape a more equitable world through hip hop. Their music inspires kids and families to stand up to hate and be their brave and beautiful selves.
Duniya Dance & Drum Company
Founded by Punjabi-American dancer Joti Singh and Guinean musician Bongo Sidibe, Duniya Dance and Drum Company (DDDC) is a South Asian and West African racial and immigrant justice performing arts organization. As a company founded and led by West African and South Asian traditional artists, DDDC prioritizes featuring BIPOC artists and works to increase the economic value of their labor.
Adhering to company values of Tradition, Cultural Exchange, Social Justice, and Community Building, DDDC is committed to serving their communities in the Bay Area and educating audiences about untold histories and current events that impact these communities through their performances and programs.
Fua Dia Kongo
Fua Dia Kongo is a cultural arts organization based at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland, CA, dedicated to the preservation and transmission of traditional Kongolese dance, music, and culture. Founded in 1977 by master artist (Ta) Malonga Casquelourd, the organization uplifts a legacy of cultural preservation, community engagement, and embodied healing through the arts, guided by its founding tenet, Wa Dia Fua Yika Dio—what you inherit, you must add value to.
Mbira dzaSoko
Discover the vibrant sounds of Zimbabwe with Mbira dzaSoko, a traditional ensemble founded by the passionate Salani “Wamkanganise”. Committed to sharing the beauty of mbira music, this group invites you to immerse yourself in Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage. Experience the magic where rhythm and tradition unite, transcending borders and connecting hearts. Mbira dzaSoko ensemble: Salani Wamkanganise, Kelly Takunda Orphan, Kanukai Chigamba, Michell Marufu and featuring Zimbabwean percussionist Kudzi Jambwa.
Michele’s Soul Line Dance
Step into the rhythm and let the music move you! Michele’s Soul Line Dance blends soulful beats, jazzy flair, and high-energy vibes that will have you smiling from the first step to the last.
Whether you’re brand new to line dancing or already love to move, bring your energy and get ready to slide, step, and sway with smooth grooves and fun, easy-to-follow choreography.
Mufaro weDzimbahwe (“moo-far-oh way zim-bah-way”)
Mufaro weDzimbahwe is an electric ensemble, which pays homage to the music of Zimbabwe. The name of the band reflects the joy of the music from Zimbabwe. Inspired by mbira music and the electrified sounds of the great artists before them – Thomas Mapfumo, Robson Banda, Oliver Mtukudzi – Mufaro weDzimbahwe is co-led by husband and wife team Salani Wamkanganise & Kelly Takunda Orphan. Salani is a cultural music ambassador from Zimbabwe and Kelly grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but went to school in Zimbabwe and has a long relationship with traditional musicians since 1994. The band also features Kudzie Jambwa on drums and marimba.
NKAN
NKAN is a Nigerian-born Afro-fusion artist based in California, whose music bridges continents, cultures, and stories. Blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary global sounds, she creates a vibrant musical experience rooted in identity, love, and connection.
With a performance style that is both energetic and soulful, NKAN has performed at numerous events, festivals, and cultural gatherings, captivating audiences with her authenticity and stage presence. Her recent release, California Love, reflects her personal journey from Lagos to Oakland — a story of movement, discovery, and the beauty of connection across cultures. NKAN continues to use music as a platform to celebrate African heritage while connecting with diverse audiences around the world.
Tae Poetically Divine
Shanti (Shawntae) Lair – Croom also known as Tae (Poetically Divine), is a Humanitarian, Educator, Certified Wellness Coach II, Poet Spoken Word Artist, Award-Winning Filmmaker, and Event Host. Shanti’s artistic work is known for being inspirational, authentic, and thought-provoking.
