Madison, WI Header
File #: 79102    Version: 1 Name: Recognizing August 19, 2023, as Africa Fest Day in the City of Madison
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 7/24/2023 In control: COMMON COUNCIL
On agenda: 8/1/2023 Final action: 8/1/2023
Enactment date: 8/4/2023 Enactment #: RES-23-00518
Title: Recognizing August 19, 2023, as Africa Fest Day in the City of Madison
Sponsors: Nasra Wehelie, Barbara Harrington-McKinney, Satya V. Rhodes-Conway, Juliana R. Bennett, Nikki Conklin, Jael Currie, John W. Duncan, Tag Evers, Derek Field, Yannette Figueroa Cole, MGR Govindarajan, Isadore Knox Jr., Amani Latimer Burris, Sabrina V. Madison, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, Charles Myadze, Marsha A. Rummel, Kristen Slack, Bill Tishler, Michael E. Verveer, Regina M. Vidaver

Fiscal Note

No fiscal impact.

Title

Recognizing August 19, 2023, as Africa Fest Day in the City of Madison

Body

WHEREAS, the African Association of Madison, Inc., whose mission is to foster the advancement of Africans in the Greater Madison area and share the diverse heritages and traditions inherent in the rich cultures of Africa, will host the 23rd annual Africa Fest on Saturday, August 19, 2023; and,

 

WHEREAS, Africa Fest, first staged in 1998, is a family-oriented, educational and cultural event that provides opportunities to improve race relations and encourage diversity and inclusiveness in the greater Madison area; and,

 

WHEREAS, the women of the African Women’s Association, whose mission is to support African women and their families, have been an integral part of the organization and celebration of Africa Fest and will organize, decorate, and run the Africa Tent; and,

 

WHEREAS, Africa Fest features African immigrants celebrating and sharing African traditions and cultural heritages through performances, displays, food, art, and more; and,

 

WHEREAS, performances will include local performers and musicians such as Tani Diakite and the Afro Funk-Stars, Atimevu, Limanya, the Nigerian Masquerade, and many other local cultural groups; and,

 

WHEREAS, this year’s theme of Africa Fest will be “Faces of African Beauty,” which will focus on the variations of beauty that may be found all over the African continent and will be showcased in the African Tent throughout the day; and,

 

WHEREAS, Africa Fest will begin with “Strides For Africa,” an annual 3k/5k run/walk whose proceeds will be used in their entirety to fund potable water wells and solar light projects for communities in rural Africa; and,

 

WHEREAS, as a result of Africa Fest, the African Association of Madison, Inc. is often contacted to provide educational presentations and lectures for events such as the annual Mandela Washington Fellows Conference with the African Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as for various high schools and middle schools’ cultural awareness weeks;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council hereby recognize August 19, 2023, as Africa Fest Day in the City of Madison.