Columbus African Festival returns this weekend for cultural expression, food and fun

Food, fun and culture don't always come for free, but they do this weekend in Columbus.

Presented by Ohio Ghana Festival in collaboration with Columbus African Festival, the 2024 Columbus African Festival this Saturday and Saturday is themed "Building a Unified African Community," and includes launching a business forum and case competition.

The festival will take place from 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., each day, featuring food, music, art and fashion.

These festivities take place with a renaissance approach to cultural and artistic expression , plus an added focus on sustainability through the range of creativity

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New this year

In April, members of the public had the opportunity to identify and submit issues facing the African community of central Ohio. Those submissions will be judged by a committee based on relevance and influence to the African community in central Ohio .

From 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, participants are tasked with outlining the problems, assessing their impact and analyzing the root causes. After this, solutions will be brainstormed and examined based on feasibility, and participants will look for collaborative partners within the community to oversee the implementation of said solutions.

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"This initiative marks a pivotal moment in our community's journey toward progress and empowerment," said Kingsley Nyarko, assistant chair of the CAF Business Forum, in a press release. "By providing a platform to address pressing challenges, we are not only encouraging innovation, but also nurturing a stronger, more resilient community."

The festival is about collaboration and optimistic change for all members of the African community in central Ohio by harnessing the strength of Columbus' migrant population to solve the issues they face everyday.

"The business forum and case competition provide a unique platform for individuals to articulate these challenges and propose innovative solutions to meet the needs of the migrant community," said Dr. Edwina Teye, chair of the CAF Business Forum.

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At a glance

Friday's business forum will be held on the second floor of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave.

nfishman@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus African Festival returns this weekend for cultural expression, food and fun