The grand, one-day event will officially take place in August, but a kickoff event will run from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, at Martin Luther King Park and is free to the public.
The "A Glimpse of Africa festival" is a cultural celebration involving fashion, art, food, dance and music, and is also the largest annual African culture festival in West Michigan.
A Glimpse of Africa President and Founder, Fridah Kanini, is holding the kickoff event to celebrate the Day of Africa, but also to help people get out and about.
“This is like what we we’re dying to go out and do," she said. "We’ve all been cooped up in the house and with all the stress in the pandemic, we were ready to get out and enjoy the day".
A Glimpse of Africa has been working throughout the pandemic to bring resources like vaccine and mental health access to the African American community. It had to postpone its annual festival in 2020 due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, but Kanini says she’s excited to reconnect with the community in person and celebrate togetherness.
“This is our goal to bring people together to celebrate African culture to enjoy African culture and feel a home far away from home, but also have a platform where they can engage," Kanini said. "Because I believe together we are stronger".