Madaraka Festival honors Kenya's 1963 independence while empowering youth through music and arts. Founded by Simon Javan Okelo, the festival has reached over 380,000 in-person attendees and 30 million digital viewers in its first decade. The festival's name "Madaraka" is derived from the Swahili word for "power" or "responsibility," reflecting its mission to empower communities through cultural exchange.
The festival's nonprofit parent organization, One Vibe Africa, supports community-led change impacting over 3.5 million people in the United States and Africa through programs focused on youth empowerment, healthcare, and education.
Image sourced from event website.
