Odunde Festival, the nation's largest African-American street festival, has been getting bigger and bigger for decades. Now celebrating its 40th year, Odunde's day of arts, culture and family fun returns Sunday, June 14 to its traditional South Street West location.

The festival, a concept which came from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, includes a beautiful procession that walks from 23rd and South Street to the Schuylkill River with an offering for Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. Sprawling out over 12 southwest Center City blocks, the rest of the day includes live entertainment on two stages and a marketplace with over 100 craft and food vendors from African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.

The live entertainment features dance and music, including performances by the ODUNDE365 children's program, an open mic, PHILADANCO and the African Heritage Dancers. A group of hip-hop legends will close out the night in celebration of Odunde's big anniversary: Kurtis Blow, Chubb Rock, Special Ed and Kwame will all perform.

http://www.phillyvoice.com/nations-largest-african-american-street-fest/

Oshunbumi Fernandez-CEO

Biography

Celebration, Passion and Persistence….. are the words that come to mind when describing the life of Oshunbumi Fernandez, CEO of ODUNDE, Inc.

ODUNDE, Inc. is a world-renowned cultural organization whose mission is to
serve the need for cultural enrichment in the African American community.

The organization is known for its “staple event” - the ODUNDE festival
which attracts up to 500,000 attendees, covers 12-city blocks, has
over 100 arts & craft/ food vendors and has two stages of live
entertainment. The festival is the largest African-American street festival in
the country. The festival is known throughout the world as one of
the original models for African-American festivals, hosting many internationally known African and Caribbean performers, dignitaries, folk artists and cultural leaders.

Ms. Fernandez was named by The Philadelphia Tribune as one of the TOP 10
People Under 40 to watch in 2011 and was recently named one of Philadelphia's
most influential African American leaders of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Her education includes a BA in Biology from Temple University and a MBA from LaSalle University.

Her dedication to cultural awareness and expression has dominated her professional life. She has
been invited to lecture on her personal achievements and the
accomplishments of ODUNDE by regional and national organizations.


In October 2011, she created ODUNDE365 to provide year round African and African-American cultural programming in schools, community centers and public venues. ODUNDE365 consists of 4 programs: ODUNDE365 AFRICAN DANCE & DRUMMING CLASSES, I AM B.U.M.I. PROJECT, MY STORY AND ODUNDE365 ARTS & CRAFT CLASSES. Currently these programs have culturally impacted the lives of thousands of people.


She is the owner of BUMI PRODUCTIONS an event planning company whose clients’ list includes: PECO JAZZ, SUNOCO WELCOME AMERICA, LFGA & associates, UNIVERSAL companies and many more.

In April 2013, she was a member of Governor Tom Corbett's Trade Mission delegation to Brazil and Chile.
In October 2013, she created KWANZAABRATION with Music Icon Kenny Gamble a festival whose mission is to educate and increase awareness of the Kwanzaa Holiday to the public.
She is a member of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs, a member of the Point Grays Promise Neighborhood committee, a Board Member of the Christian Street YMCA, an Advisory Board member for the University of Pennsylvania Museum – Imagine Africa Exhibit and was a member of Mayor John Street’s Transitional Team for Arts and Culture. She is the mother of two sons.

more pictures...

Good one there. However, I did not see this as a tribal thing I think this is a determination but few that want to preserve their culture. This can help some children here to understand the meaning of the word "HERITAGE".

more pictures ......

Please poster educate us on how we can join in this celebration and it's importance.

Omo Oduaa Representing
God Bless The YORUBA RACE, all over the World.

Frontpage material

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwptjjyR5kw






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLhtwvvBmBU






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svW4PnJoQx0

@Lushore1, thanks alot. I now have picx, videos and links to show to my kids on what the Yoruba Race is achieving through our culture and tradition around the globe.


lalasticala
Ishilov3
Seun
Over to you, Frontpage

tunwumi:
Please poster educate us on how we can join in this celebration and it's importance.

ODUNDE was created in 1975 by Lois Fernandez and Ruth Arthur. The festival attracts UP TO 500,000 people annually and is the largest African American street festivals held in the country.The festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates the coming of another year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world. It is an occasion highlighted by a colorful procession from 23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of fruit
and flowers is made to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. ODUNDE is also known for its authentic African marketplace featuring vendors from around the world selling merchandise from many African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.

Each year, the second Sunday in June, ODUNDE takes place covering 12 city blocks. ODUNDE will be celebrating its 39TH year in the traditional south Philadelphia location near 23rd and South streets. The festival started in 1975 with a $100.00 grant and neighbors from Fernandez's south Philadelphia community. In just two years the ODUNDE Festival exploded. The eclectic mix of vendors, entertainment and music started to draw people from around and beyond the region and each year continues to be no different. ODUNDE IS FOR EVERYONE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS YEAR!!!


http://odundefestival.org/odunde-festival.html

NCP:
@Lushore1, thanks alot. I now have picx, videos and links to show to my kids on what the Yoruba Race is achieving through our culture and tradition around the globe.

No problem bro, we all should be proud of how much our culture has contributed and influenced many people around the world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJN4be2-w8