Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Knoxville

    Thirty Years of the Kuumba Fest in Knoxville!

    Vivian Underwood ShipeBy Vivian Underwood ShipeJuly 3, 2019No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Wisdom Jzar, a vendor at the festival speaking to Jeff Lannacone who attended the festival.
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    Advertisement

    By Vivian Shipe

    KNOXVILLE, TN — It means creativity in Swahili. For 30 years, Kuumba Fest has been one of the longest running African American festivals in America.

    Corey Hodges, a young author, was on site to promote his new books. Photos by Vivian Shipe

    The festival, which spans over a three day period, began in 1989. It was the vision of Nkechi Ajanaku and others to raise awareness and present the beauty , culture and art of the African  and African American community. From this vision was born African American Appalachian Arts Inc.

    A family affair held the last weekend in June, the festival draws thousands of people from all over the world and features African drum and dance,  a Junkanu parade, drum circles, free concerts, art,  and even a Kuumba camp for youth who perform what they learn during the festival.

    Vendors from around the world and other countries sell merchandise and food and the performances are genuine and geared to creating positive social and community development.

    Thirty years old this year; the vision continues. 

    Advertisement

     Ms. Ajanaku transitioned in 2017 but her children have taken up the banner and are working hard to see the vision continue.

    Tor Ajanaku, youngest child of Nkechi, now serves as site coordinator for his mother’s vision

    Wisdom, a vendor at the festival shared this:

    “I am because we are. It is not about the individual, we are part of something bigger. 

    We must take the lessons from the past to move forward. Take the good and apply it to the present to move into the future.”

    The Ajanaku legacy lives on.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Vivian Underwood Shipe

    Related Posts

    Knoxville’s Beck Met Gala Raises $25,000

    May 15, 2025

    GRSM Opens Knoxville Office to Support Growing Demand Across Southern Region

    May 14, 2025

    Attorney Ben Crump Seeks Answers in Knoxville: “No One Can Explain Why They Killed Him”

    April 24, 2025

    Jackie’s Dream: A Homerun for Smokey’s Stadium

    April 1, 2025

    Black K.A.R.E. Health Fair: The Links Inc. Promotes Kidney Awareness

    February 27, 2025

    Mary Goins Celebrates 104 Years

    February 19, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Business

    Charlotte Knight Griffin Takes Office as TBA President-Elect

    June 30, 2025

    EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth

    June 19, 2025

    FUNdraising Good Times Report from Neighborhoods USA Conference in Jacksonville

    June 4, 2025
    1 2 3 … 384 Next
    Education
    Education

    Austin Peay’s MPH program receives $27K for childhood literacy initiative. Community LIFT Project to be implemented at Head Start centers this fall

    By Ethan SteinquestJune 30, 2025

    CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University’s Master of Public Health program is on a…

    TSU, State, reach agreement to reallocate $96M to school

    June 26, 2025

    TSU student lands prestigious internship at Harvard Medical School

    June 25, 2025

    FAMU stakeholders file lawsuit to prevent Marva Johnson’s confirmation as the university’s 13th President

    June 21, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/