Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.
Two decades ago, one of Raleigh’s signature annual events was the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament. It drew throngs of people to the city every year and always had a fantastic party atmosphere.
Alas, that party ended with the CIAA decided to find a new home, but something very positive grew out of the CIAA leaving Raleigh—the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County. Started in the wake of the CIAA’s departure, the festival will mark its 15th edition over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 2024, again on the streets of downtown Raleigh.
The weekend will also include a ticketed kickoff music event, featuring PJ Morton and Avery Sunshine, at the North Carolina Museum of Art amphitheater on Friday night (Aug. 30).
“This is our 15th year and we are excited to still be here,” says Pam Smith, executive director and CEO of the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County non-profit (she is also on local radio as part of "The Sports Shop," mornings on WRAL 101.5-FM). “It started with a group of community leaders looking to fill the void when the CIAA left, because there was nothing huge like that in Raleigh. So the festival replaced it.”
The festival debuted in 2010, and it drew an estimated 15,000 people that first year. It’s grown quickly in the years since, with last year’s model attracting close to 60,000 attendees, according to estimates from the Raleigh Police Department. Similar-sized crowds are expected this year, and festival management is still seeking sponsors because, as Smith puts it, “We are free and open to the public, but it’s not free to put on.”
“We’ve seen it grow and pivot through the pandemic, building community partnerships,” says Smith. “In 2021, during the pandemic, we were able to work with the city to have little pockets of entertainment throughout the city—Chavis Park, Moore Square, all across downtown. We did that so we would not have a lot of people in one spot.”
After a few years of grappling with pandemic protocols, the festival came back to the heart of Raleigh’s Fayetteville St. last year. It will return to the same location in 2024, spanning Fayetteville St. from Hargett St. south to City Plaza, where the main stage performers will be. Among the key performers this year are hip-hop duo Nice & Smooth, party band Project 919 and Andres "Dres" Titus from Black Sheep, the 1990s-vintage hitmakers who gave the world the massive 1990s-vintage single “The Choice Is Yours.”
The festival will have the usual compliment of juried art and merchandise vendors plus food trucks in addition to musical entertainment. There will also be puppetry and theater workshops as well as mural projects—and even, in a new wrinkle, church services.
“We have added a partnership this year with Wake Chapel Church, so Sunday morning we are gonna have church out there from 10 to 11:30am,” says Smith. “We also have a record number of artists and vendors, 120-plus vendors and business owners on the footprint. The African Village will be huge with food and shopping and great music and surprises added. Everyone is still recovering from losing two or three years to Covid, so we’re excited to have the opportunity to support. Be prepared to buy great art.”
Main Stage Lineup Schedule
400 Fayetteville St.
Sat., Aug. 31
- 12:30-1pm – Official Welcome and Festival Opening
- 1-1:45pm – DJ Tres & Unity Mass Band
- 3-3:45pm – Aaron McCoy Sax Band
- 4-4:45pm – District Judge D9 Unity Voter Push & Greek Roll Call
- 5-5:45pm – DJ Brian Dawson
- 6-6:45pm – The Ray Band
- 7-7:45pm – DJ Nabs & Company
- 8-8:45pm – Sumthin 4 the People
- 9-9:45pm – Project 919
Sun., Sept. 1
- 10-11:30am – Wake Chapel Church service
- 11:30am–noon – Sound Check
- noon-1pm – Sound Check/house music
- 1-1:45pm – Deep River Singers
- 2-2:20pm – Community Conversation: A Blueprint for Racial Equity
- 2:30-2:45pm – Vendor Fashion Show
- 3-3:45pm – New Creation-Gospel
- 4-4:45pm – Sunday Presents…
- 5-5:45pm – JP Peele & Friends
- 6-6:45pm – Soultrii
- 7-7:45pm – King Lee Iconic Band
- 8-8:45pm – DJ Skillz
- 9-9:45pm – Black Sheep-Dres
- 10-10:45pm – Nice & Smooth
