National Black Arts Festival Gets Underway

Michael Simanga is president and CEO of the National Black Arts Festival.

He calls the festival a movement.

“Our mission is to engage and cultivate and educate diverse audiences on the art and culture of African Americans and people from the African world.”

Simanga is the festival’s third executive director within the last five years.

While the overall mission hasn’t changed Simanga says as with any non-profit arts organization, maintaining and creating financial partnerships is a challenge.

“90-percent of the programs that we do are free so it has been a challenge but we’ve adjusted and we have a smaller staff than we use to have. We do fewer events but still impactful events.”

That includes programs in the Children’s Education Village.

Dr. Collette Hopkins heads the department and says this year the theme for kid is Destination Africa.

“They’ll make replica of found art from places like Haiti, they’ll make adinkra prints for Ghana while learning map study skills and social studies and history,” says Dr. Hopkins.

Other events include the NBAF music stage in Centennial Olympic Park.

The headliner this year is Peabo Bryson.

The Grammy award winning singer calls Atlanta home.

He says the opportunity to perform at the National Black Arts Festival is an Honor.

“The art festival is itself  a great atmosphere. It always has been and always will be. It’s probably the best community activity in Atlanta.”

Perhaps the biggest highlight is this year’s signature gala.

Legendary actress and civil rights activist Ruby Dee will be honored.

That’s also the largest fundraising event for the festival.