6th Annual Pan African Festival Press Release 9/23/15
6TH ANNUAL PAN AFRICAN FESTIVAL
Celebrating and promoting African heritage unity September 26, 2015
Silver Spring MD [September 23 , 2015] The Pan African Festival (PANAFEST-USA) will be held on Saturday September 26, 2015 at the Silver Spring Civic Center at One Veterans Plaza from 12noon till 10pm. The Festival is held each year on the last Saturday in September. September is African Heritage month in Montgomery County so it is fitting the month long celebration ends with such a colorful and spectacular celebration of all things African. This year’s festival marks the 6th anniversary of the festival that has seen up to 11,000 attendees each year to celebrate African Culture.
PANAFEST-USA is organized to promote solidarity among all Africans, and develop a cultural support network for African Diaspora communities in the Capital region under the overall theme I ♥ African Heritage Unity! However in 2015, PANAFEST-USA is also adopting the sub theme Black Lives Matter! – an acknowledgement of the ongoing challenges our community has faced since the last Festival, challenges including the devastation from Ebola, increased xenophobic attacks and police brutality. This year’s event is dedicated to unity and healing in the face of adversity.
The event lineup offers arts and culture, world-class entertainment and community spirit featuring participants from all South, East and West Africa as well as those from the Caribbean and the Americas. In addition, there will be ceremony to honor those who lost their lives to Ebola. A minute of silence will be observed and the families of the late Dr. Sheikh Khan and Dr. Martin Salia will be presented with appreciation plaques. The Guinean, Liberian and Sierra Leonean communities will also be recognized during this ceremony. Family and community members, members of the diplomatic corps from the 3 most affected countries will be honored and in attendance.
Attendees can also expect to see live performance from at least 25 different African and Caribbean countries, in various languages including French, Portuguese, Arabic, Amharic and many other languages spoken in Africa. Among the performers are bands coming directly from France, Ethiopia, and Chad. Fashion enthusiasts will be treated to children’s fashion show in addition to that of adults. On hand will be food vendors with cuisines from various African and Caribbean communities. Arts and Crafts vendors will also be selling their wares. Traditional rulers such as Kings, Queens and paramount chiefs from various African communities will be in attendance, as well as local and state government elected officials. A complete list of performers and program is available on the PANAFEST-USA website www.panafestusa.org. The event is free and open to the public
The Organizers
PANAFEST –USA organizing Committee is led by the All Cameroonian Cultural Development Foundation (ACCDF) in partnership with Montgomery County African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG). ACCDF is registered nonprofit foundation whose aim is to revive, conserve and enhance Cameroonian cultural heritage by leveraging cultural diversity as a vehicle to stimulate collaboration and shared responsibility in building a progressive, enterprising community.
The African Affairs Advisory Group serves as liaison between the African communities and the Montgomery County government. The purpose of the African Affairs Advisory Group is to ensure that the County Executive is well informed of and able to act effectively to respond to the needs and concerns of African immigrants living and or working in Montgomery County.
6th Annual Pan African Festival Press Release 9/11/2015
Celebrating and promoting African heritage unity September 26, 2015
Silver Spring MD [September 11 , 2015] The Pan African Festival (PANAFEST-USA) will be held on Saturday September 26, 2015 at the Silver Spring Civic Center at One Veterans Plaza. The Festival is held each year on the last Saturday in September. September is African Heritage month in Montgomery County so it is fitting the month long celebration ends with such a colorful and spectacular celebration of all things African. This year’s festival marks the 6th anniversary of the festival that has seen up to 11,000 people come each year to celebrate African Culture. PANAFEST-USA is organized to promote solidarity among all Africans, and develop a cultural support network for African Diaspora communities in the Capital region under the overall theme I ♥ African Heritage Unity! However in 2015, PANAFEST-USA is also adopting the sub theme Black Lives Matter!, as a nod to the ongoing challenges our community has faced since the last Festival, challenges including the devastation from Ebola, increased xenophobic attacks and police brutality. This year’s event is dedicated to unity and healing in the face of adversity.
The event lineup offers arts and culture, world-class entertainment and community spirit featuring participants from all South, East and West Africa as well as those from the Caribbean and the Americas. In addition, there will be ceremony to honor those who lost their lives to Ebola. Family and community members, members of the diplomatic corps from the 3 most affected countries will be honored and in attendance. Attendees can also expect to see live bands, performance of various African dances, fashion show and Zumba while enjoying the African and American cuisine. Traditional rulers such as Kings, Queens and paramount chiefs in addition to elected officials will be in attendance. All events are free and open to the public
Individuals, businesses and organizations seeking opportunities for advertisements, sponsorship, vending space or as performers with PANAFEST-USA should contact Ms. Justine Mbianda at (301) 379-9111 or via email at panafestivalusa@gmail.com