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Culturefest Connects the Black Diaspora with an International Music Fest

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Scheduled to launch June 8 at the National Harbor, from 1–9 p.m., Culturefest features international artists, including Reggae icons Aidonia; Romain Virgo & The Unit Band; Tanto Metro and Devonte; and SOCA superstars Patrice Roberts; Skinny Fabulous; and Afrobeat legend Timaya and the image band. Culturefest’s Co-founder Freka Scott says, “This one, will be one for the books.”

Published

6 years ago

May 20, 2019

Oakland Post

By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Newswire Washington Correspondent

Acculminating talent while breaking culture barriers, the first ever Culturefest reached back to its roots to premiere one of the largest Black Diaspora festivals of its kind on the East Coast, incorporating Black powerhouse artists from all over the world.

Scheduled to launch June 8 at the National Harbor, from 1–9 p.m., Culturefest features international artists, including Reggae icons Aidonia; Romain Virgo & The Unit Band; Tanto Metro and Devonte; and SOCA superstars Patrice Roberts; Skinny Fabulous; and Afrobeat legend Timaya and the image band. Culturefest’s Co-founder Freka Scott says, “This one, will be one for the books.”

“I’ve been a part of a lot of festivals, but I really wanted to do something of my own, something that was going to be unique to the Black culture,” Scott said. “This is a Caribbean/African Diaspora celebration, where you’ll get to see all shades of Black and Brown, dancing together in one rhythm, while appreciating what makes all of us different.”

Full of special events including a multi-cultural fashion show, a diverse food court, a craft village, and numerous bars offering exotic drinks by expert mixologists, Chardelle Moore — model, television host and inaugural Culturefest brand ambassador — explained that this day-long celebration of diversity through music, art, food, and fashion “will help bring communities together” and showcase a variety of experiences.

“The concept alone is everything I stand for—entertainment and diversity through the power of culture,” Moore said. “The power of music allows people to come together and with the 21 and over age limit, it also kind of creates this sort of sexy atmosphere that everyone can enjoy, while eradicating community divisions, acknowledging the fact that we all came from the motherland.”

In addition to music and spirited events, the Culturefest arena also plans to lend its stage to highlight and support many important causes including the New Hope Horizon Foundation and the Lupus Foundation/Color Me Happy Fund. Lupus is a disease that continues to affect Black Americans at a disproportionate level.

“The Lupus Foundation of America has always done a lot of work for clinical adult stem cell research, which has been used to help find treatments for lupus,” Scott said. “As a disease that greatly impacts people of color, I couldn’t think of a better organization to help support.”

“A portion of all of our proceeds will go toward various charities that do a lot in the community, which I think is very important and very telling of the magnitude of our Culturefest celebration.”

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Tiguan’s AI Touchscreen & Gear Shift: VW Just Changed the Game! #2

Explore the Tiguan’s cutting-edge 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, and a new AI assistant. See how VW innovatively moved the gear shifter to the steering column, enhancing the center console and navigation system! #AutoNetwork #Tiguan #Infotainment #AppleCarPlay #AndroidAuto #AISystem #NavigationSystem #CarTech #TechReview #CarInnovation #Automotive

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3 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

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IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies at 82

Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.

Published

3 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

Sly and the Family Stone play the Opera House in Bournemouth. Mojo review. Photo by Simon Fernandez.

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire

Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.

His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications.

Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age 8 with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.

In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup.

The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself.

Their album “Stand!” (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era.

As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s.

Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary “Sly Lives!” earlier this year.

His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial integration both onstage and in the broader culture.

“Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.”

Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute.

“The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.”

Sly Stone is survived by three children.

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PRESS ROOM: Clyburn on 10th Anniversary of Mother Emanuel AME Church Shooting in Charleston

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following video on X, paying tribute to the 10th anniversary of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015.

Published

3 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

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CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following video on X, paying tribute to the 10^th anniversary of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015.

“Over 6 years ago, the House first passed my Enhanced Background Checks Act to close the Charleston Loophole that allowed a white supremacist to obtain the gun he used to murder nine worshipers at Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015.

“I’ll never stop fighting to pass this law.”