The Umoja Festival

Bitezo Bia Kongo

BITEZO BIA KONGO is a Congolese dance company from the Bay Area directed by Arnaud Loubayi from Congo Brazzaville, Republic of Congo . They were featured in the 2017 San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. They will be performing traditional dances Zebola & Esombi, as well as Soukous a popular Afro-Urban dance form

Jax

JAX, the four sibling Haitian-American band, will be performing a set of conscious, harmony rich music.

Afro Urban Society

Based out of Oakland, California and connecting to the African continent and her Diaspora, Afro Urban Society is a network of Artists and Culture Workers coming together to vision, collaborate and create. We aim to sustain the resiliency, interconnection and unique artistic and cultural expressions of Urban Africans through art production, performance and artist engagement.

Mandjou Kone with Mohamed Kouyante

Mandjou Koné was born and raised in West Africa in the countries of Mali and Burkina Faso. She was born into the Koné family, a well-known Griot Family. The Griots people of West Africa are world renown for their unique ability to record events carefully and accurately, passing history from one generation to the other. One cannot learn to become a Griot; rather one is born into it. Being a Griot there is a responsibility to preserve the culture.

Tata Kaya

Makaya is an inspiring teacher who is full of energy and a lot of smiles. Since the age of 5 he has been cultivating his love of the Congolese dance and drum. Makaya is initiated and ritually trained in the Art of Congolese dance and music. A master dancer and drum teacher. He brings the spirit of the Congo to every class!

Djay Slim

Djay Slim straight from Africa! The number 1 African DJ has been igniting audiences with his afrobeats, caribbean, funk, and cumbia fusion beats. Since 2001. This Kenya-born sound maestro has blared caffeinated rhythms from dance hall speakers, inspiring his audiences to shymie and shake.
“When I dj, I see how different sounds make people move and take them to a whole new world.”

Ken Okulolo &
West African Highlife Band

Babá Ken Okulolo is a beloved SF Bay Area-based Nigerian bandleader, vocalist, bassist, teacher and multi-instrumentalist, one of the few popular African musicians of today whose roots extend deep into his country’s musical history. He now leads several distinct African bands and teaches students of all ages. His lively performances, recordings, drum circles, and classes spread an uplifting message and bring the joy of African music to every audience

Lydrock

All the way from Houston, Texas for the first time in the BAY AREA, join phenomenal Ghanian performer & choreographer LydRock in the most action-packed Afrobeats choreo workshop in the Bay this season. Get introduced to LydRock's signature 'AfriRock', an Afrobeats choreography workshop which includes various urban African and Hip Hop.

Sistah Iminah

Sistah IMiNAH is an Edutainer ( Singer/Songwriter, Dancer & Educator) hailing from Oakland, CA with roots in Jamaica, Texas, Nigeria and beyond.
Her musical message reflects the duality of being raised immersed in African culture, while surrounded by the stark reality of ghetto culture.
With her unique brand of " born-Again African Soul”, her goal is to inspire the original greatness of Africa to rise again. From Ghetto to Goddess. AŚE

Baba Tacuma & Bay Area Youth Arts

Rooted in tradition, Baba Tacuma King embodies the terrain of cultural evolution that links indigenous technologies with innovative methodologies. Baba Tacuma is a master percussionist & master teacher. He is one of the founding members of Bay Area Youth Arts, with William Ktanses and violinist Tarika Lewis, where he and Jessica Feliz created a free arts program providing inner-city youth with instruction in African drumming and dance addressing the need for positive cultural interventions in the lives our youth. Baba Tacuma embodies the element of Earth as he is the land bridge between indigenous technologies and surprising innovation.

Unique Derique

Unique Derique has performed Hambone for over 25 years at places such as the Apollo Theater, on Broadway at Lincoln Center, on international television, and most recently at the SF Jazz Center, in addition to teaching Hambone body percussion workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally. His performing experience also includes opening for renowned entertainers such as Lou Rawls, Sammy Davis Jr. and the Temptations.

Gidikid

For over a decade of being a commanding presence on stage, Gidikid has been charming audiences and entertaining folks from around the world with his smooth emcee skills. Always entertaining, informative and compassionate, Gidikid is highly regarded for his warm personality and clear communication.

“…the Umoja Festival has become yet another feather in Oakland’s cultural diversity cap.”
-OAKULTURE