36th Annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival Returns to Annapolis September 26 Featuring MuMu Fresh, Local Favorites Clones of Funk and Pock3t, with Community Stage Co-Hosted by Eric “Buddy” Davis and Comacell Brown, Jr.
This year's theme, "Our Roots. Our Story," commemorates the 50th anniversary of Alex Haley's landmark novel, Roots, and its enduring cultural impact. The celebration will also honor the legacy of Kunta Kinte, whose arrival in Annapolis and ancestral story continue to inspire conversations about heritage, identity, perseverance and family history.
"For nearly four decades, the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival has served as a living archive and a joyful home for our community," said Cynthia "Cyndy" Guillen, Board President of Kunta Kinte Celebrations, Inc. "This year, as we honor the 50th Anniversary of Alex Haley's Roots, we aren't just reflecting on history — We are actively building health, economic vitality and multi-generational connection through our artists, young entrepreneurs and community partnerships."
Grammy-nominated soul and hip-hop artist MuMu Fresh will headline this year's main stage performances, joined by Annapolis favorites Clones of Funk and Go-Go band Pock3t.
Additional entertainment will include West African Mandinka artist Amadou Kouyate, Afro-Cuban dance group Rueda De Casino and the Singing & Praying Band.
Among the new attractions this year is the festival's inaugural farmers market, organized in partnership with six local Black agricultural growers. The market will promote access to healthy foods and provide free one-pound bags of fresh produce to the first 100 visitors.
The festival will also feature a Youth and Young Adult Zone in partnership with Tree House Project, Inc., providing a dedicated marketplace where entrepreneurs under the age of 21 can showcase and sell their products.
The Community Stage, co-hosted by Eric "Buddy" Davis and Comacell Brown, Jr., will offer a variety of educational and entertainment opportunities, including wellness workshops, a healthy cooking demonstration sponsored by Priority Partners MCO, comedy by Sergio Swagg and a men's mental health panel led by licensed counselors.
Additional programming will include an interactive West African drumming workshop with Jabari Exum and a special discussion panel commemorating the 50th anniversary of Roots.
More than 100 visual artists, craftspeople, merchants and food vendors are expected to participate throughout the stadium grounds.
Families attending the festival can also enjoy a children's activity area featuring cultural crafts, plant potting, free book distributions and educational activities provided by the Chesapeake Children's Museum.
The annual celebration is supported by several community partners and sponsors, including the City of Annapolis, Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, Chesapeake Children's Museum, Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, Reese & Sons, Bread & Butter, Tree House Project, Inc., Priority Partners and Power Home Remodeling.
The festival will take place Saturday, September 26, from noon until 7 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis.
For additional information, including the festival schedule, volunteer opportunities and event updates, visit www.KuntaKinte.org.
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