About Us

A grassroots effort developed out of the idea of unity (Umoja, the word for “unity” in Swahili) and takes seriously the goal to connect, revive, educate, and unify the marginalized voices of all those in the African Diaspora currently living in the bay area.

Originating in 2013, The Umoja Festival set forth to bring the various prominent African communities - Kenyans, Ghanaians, Ethiopians, Nigerians, Eritreans, South Africans, Egyptians, Senegalese, to name a few - to the forefront of Oakland's cultural renaissance that is currently underway.

The festival gathered local African food vendors and artisans alongside some of the best local Deejays and live musical talent.  The aim is to promote a well-rounded representation of the communal African spirit.

​In addition, we are partnered with local fashion designer, SuRu Clothing in organizing a highly anticipated soccer tournament that includes some of the best players from the various African soccer leagues in and around the bay area – Oakland's only Inter-African soccer tournament.

Umoja is a family friendly festival and we are collaborating with My Yute, a local non-profit organization that works with children teaching soccer. In tandem with the adult tournament, My Yute will organize a day-long soccer clinic targeted to children of ages 7-12.