“We are excited to bring the community together for a day of celebration, learning, and unity,” said Grace Brown, the festival organizer. “Our goal is to create a space where people can connect, grow, and support each other through cooperative economics and cultural appreciation.”
The event will have more than 40 area Black business vendors, a variety of activities and attractions for all ages, live music performances from Tam Tam Magic and the Champion City Band, and featured empowerment speaker Farrakhan Muhammad Ali.
“This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better … (with) double (vendors) from last year,” Brown said.
Organizers said the event aims to establish an outdoor marketplace uplifting cooperative economics, strengthen the Springfield and Clark County region through arts and culture, and bring residents together to celebrate and patronize local and regional Black businesses.
Admission is free to the festival, which is sponsored by Humana, CareSource, Park National Bank, YBPBS, Complete Solutions Contracting, Mbele Leadership Foundation, Covenant Community Development Corporation, and more.
This festival started as the vision of Pastor Jawwad Love to uplift cooperative economics, establish and sustain a Black-business-driven economy on the south side of Springfield, and create an enriching experience by promoting growth and unity with the community, according to organizers.
For more information, visit sokoplacefestival.org or contact Brown at info@sokoplacefestival.org.