NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Oshunbumi Fernandez (267) 808-8510 ODUNDE, INC. ANNOUNCES 40TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL WEEK ACTIVITIES “HIP HOP LEGENDS CONCERT” FEATURING KURTIS BLOW, CHUBB ROCK, SPECIAL ED AND KWAME WILL CLOSE OUT A WEEKLONG CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN CULTURE INCLUDES ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Philadelphia, Pa., June 8, 2015 -The organizers of ODUNDE, Inc. today announced the ODUNDE African-American Festival Celebration will take place Sunday, June 14, 2015, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., along South Street from 20th to 23rd Streets and in the surrounding area. The free, outdoor festival, whose central ceremonies are rooted in the traditions of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, will feature a wide variety of vendors, craftspeople, artists and performers. ODUNDE Week festivities will kick off with a range of no-cost activities beginning Wednesday and concluding with the Festival on Sunday: On Wednesday, June 10, in partnership with UPPN, A Conversation on Love and Relationships at the African American Museum of Philadelphia (701 Arch Street; Philadelphia) from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; On Thursday, June 11, a Fashion Networking Event at Ms. Tootsie’s (1312 South Street, 3rd Floor) from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.; On Friday, June 12, an African Business Roundtable at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Boehne Auditorium (100 North 6th Street, Philadelphia) from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. followed by a V.I.P. Diplomat Reception from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.; On Saturday, June 13, ODUNDE’s Annual Global African Diaspora Tourism Initiative, a town hall discussion giving a global perspective on international tourism at the Enterprise Center (4548 Market Street; Philadelphia) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; As with past festivals, Sunday's events will begin with a procession from ODUNDE's Grays Ferry headquarters to the South Street Bridge at 12 noon. There, ODUNDE leadership, Lois and Oshunbumi Fernandez, will lead participants in paying homage to the Yoruba goddess of the river, Oshun. Once offerings of fruit, money, flowers, and other items have been cast into the river, the procession will make its way back down South Street for the official start of the festival. (MORE) PAGE 2 OF 2/ ODUNDE SPONSORS 40TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL In celebration of our 40th anniversary, ODUNDE will conclude the festival with a HIP HOP LEGENDS Concert featuring Kurtis Blow, Chubb Rock, Special Ed and Kwame. All day, entertainers will participate in Sunday's festivities on two stages (one on South Street and one on Grays Ferry Avenue) including: Neo Soul Artists, Hip Hop Dance Groups, Doo-Wop Groups, Community Visionary Awards Ceremony, African Dance Troupes, Fashion Show, Gospel Music Groups, and many other activities including local and national performers. Each year, the ODUNDE Festival draws over hundreds of thousands of people from throughout the Philadelphia area, the Mid-Atlantic region, and across the country. Due to the event's substantial positive economic impact for the City of Philadelphia, the ODUNDE Festival has been designated an official City event. Sponsors of this year’s activities include: Congressman Robert Brady and the Philadelphia Traditions Fund; the ODUNDE, Inc. Board of Directors - A. Rahim Islam, Stanley Straughter and Kenneth Gamble; the Brazil Cultural Center (Dr. Ken Dosslar and Mrs. Suzana Silva); our corporate sponsors: the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation, Universal Companies, Xfinity, PECO, Pennsylvania Lottery, Penn Medicine, Drexel University – LeBow School of Business, PENN Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business; our partners: Keven Parker & Ms. Tootsie’s Restaurant, Warmdaddy’s Restaurant, Please Touch Museum, African American Museum of Philadelphia, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Councilman James Kenney, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and State Senator Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. and a host of other partners. Initiated in 1975 by Lois Fernandez and Ruth Arthur, the ODUNDE Festival has spawned a vital organization whose yearly programs and events reach audiences of over 450,000. ODUNDE continues to expand the cultural and community programs it offers local residents. A national leader in arts performance and teaching, the ODUNDE365 Program provides opportunities for diverse audiences to meet, engage, cultivate and learn about African American and African diverse heritage, communities, leadership and arts. The brainchild of ODUNDE, Inc. CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez, the program’s goal is to provide cultural and athletic programming year-round to the Philadelphia region and to young people around the world. ODUNDE also offers publications and other educational materials, such as the video "Be a Player: An Oral History of the Life of Lois Fernandez" and the book From Hucklebuck to HipHop: Social Dance in the African American Community in Philadelphia by acclaimed folklorist John Roberts. Further information on ODUNDE's programs, publications and calendar of events may be obtained by calling the ODUNDE office at (215) 732-8510. ###
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