FAMU Harambee Festival Ignites Black History Month

In February, Cascades Park comes alive for one day. Black artists, singers, dancers, and storytellers showcase their crafts at the FAMU Harambee Festival. Sights and sounds of Black History Month resonate throughout Tallahassee’s crown jewel park, celebrating African culture, music, and art. The all-day event, with families, friends, and neighbors from across the region coming together to celebrates the contributions that the African American community has made to Tallahassee and beyond.

From the performances to the vendors, the atmosphere creates what feels like a city-wide Family Reunion, filled with good people, good music, and good food.

The vibrant Afro-Caribbean dancing, African drums, and songs had the audience swaying in their seats and dancing on their feet. Each artist adds their own diverse culture and flair, and after a full slate of performances, leaving the audience empowered and inspired.

Each year, Harambee festival attendees are hard-pressed to leave Cascades Park empty handed, as vendors from across the region display a mix of traditional African clothing and modern goods, while messages of black empowerment are adorned throughout. African jewelry, natural skincare products, and custom artwork sell fast, with spectators lining up at every tent.

The crowd is reminded that the event’s goal is to honor African traditions and inspire unity – and FAMU Harambee does just that. After a packed day, festival goers wearily file out of Cascades with more than memories of a fun evening spent with family and friends. They leave with stirring messages of community. Messages are woven into spoken word, dance, and songs of hope, and these messages resonate in Tallahassee long after Black History Month comes to a close.