AFRAM at 50: A Baltimore tradition of culture and community

By Catherine Pugh  

For nearly five decades, AFRAM has been a defining celebration of Baltimore’s Black culture and community. The festival, short for African American Festival, began in August 1976 under the leadership of Norman E. Ross, then director of Baltimore’s Urban Services Cultural Arts Project. What began as the “Afro-American Exposition” to showcase the contributions of the Black community to the country, while also highlighting African-American art, music and food. What began as part of Baltimore’s contribution to American bicentennial celebrations nationwide has grown into a tradition that now also serves as Charm City’s official Juneteenth celebration.

Over the years, AFRAM has filled some of Baltimore’s best-known spaces. Charles Center and Camden Yards both featured the event before organizers moved the festival to Druid Hill Park in 2017.

Memories of the festival’s debut on Aug. 7 and 8, 1976 live on via longtime attendees like Marian Daniels. Now in her mid-80s, she still remembers the joy in the air at the first AFRAM, which was held at Hopkins Plaza in Charles Center.

“I was in my early thirties,” Daniels recalls. “I was so excited. Gil Scott-Heron was one of the featured artists at the first one. I had never seen anything like it before—so many Black people in one place, experiencing our culture and celebrating our Blackness. I was proud.”

The early years

Throughout the 70s the festival gained prominence, attracting crowds of more than 200,000. Each year the event featured different themes. The year 1977 was “A Salute to Black Genius,” In 1981, the festival gave a “Salute to Women,” and featured the 5th Annual Expo Parade and the “1st Annual AFRAM 10K.” The 6.2-mile race began in Druid Hill Park and ended at Rash Field.

Throughout the late 70s and early 80s the festival continued to grow. But by 1989 there were serious concerns. In an August 1989 AFRO article,  there was news of critics who “fueled rumors proclaiming that AFRAM had become too commercial and was no longer a celebration honoring African American culture…” In return, AFRAM sponsors “explained the festival’s structure and fiscal requirements, in an effort to provide a better understanding of the many tasks involved in producing a festival of AFRAM’s magnitude.”

Mayor Kurt Schmoke, the first Black person to hold the office, spoke at the 1989 luncheon, stating clearly: 

“As long as I am mayor there will be an AFRAM.”

The festival that year featured the smooth and sultry vocals of Natalie Cole, local acts such as the trio of sisters from the group, “Mascara,” and Kan Kourin, an African dance troop.

1990s

By the 1990s, Black young people across the city were vying for scholarships and the Mr. and Miss AFRAM title, and the annual AFRAM luncheon had become a signature kickoff event. 

The year 1992 featured a theme of “The African American Woman: An Emerging Force,” with a special highlight on Griot Mary Carter Smith and The AFRO’s Frances Murphy Draper. Gwendolyn Boyd, then Eastern Regional Director of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., was keynote speaker of the pre-event luncheon. Audiences enjoyed the likes of Howard G., Third Degree and The Manhattans.

In 1993, the same year his hit song “Can We Talk” hit the airwaves, Tevin Campbell cut the ribbon to officially open the AFRAM Expo alongside Schmoke. More than 1,000 people attended the luncheon, which served as a salute to teachers. 

By 1995 the festival’s reach was expanding well beyond the region. Lloyd Mitchner, then co-chairman for the festival, told the AFRO that welcomed vendors from as far away as Africa, the Caribbean, and practically every state in the union.

The festival had taken on a life of its own. 

For Lena Redmond, AFRAM’s appeal goes far beyond the stage. 

“It’s not just about the music and food. The festival brings families and communities together, showcases our history and offers free health screenings,” Redmond told the AFRO. “I love how the city has expanded what it offers. People–including out-of-town guests–leave with so much information.”

Early 2000s

As the world ushered in a new millennium, change came to AFRAM. In an AFRO exclusive from April 2000, the paper detailed a rift between festival organizers, a fight over the “AFRAM” name and the City of Baltimore’s move to endorse a second ethnic festival: SoulFest. 

According to the AFRO report, infighting ensued after poor festival attendance the previous year. In 1999, there were only 11,000 paid attendees at the festival in Camden Yards, a number down seven times from the number of visitors who went to the area around Mondawmin Mall for the festival in 1998 and the hundreds of thousands who attended AFRAM festivals on an annual basis for nearly two and a half decades.

In 2001 Kweisi Mfume, then leader of the Baltimore NAACP, was selected by Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley to organize a new Afro-centric festival. In January 2002, a new festival, the African American Heritage Festival was introduced to replace and build on the foundation laid by AFRAM. The festival drew the likes of Erykah Badu and Frankie Beverly in its first year.

Throughout the early 2000s the festival offered the best of Black culture and entertainment, while also addressing the HIV crisis and addiction among youth. 

While the African American Heritage Festival had the same mission and offered top tier entertainment, in the hearts of the people, it was still “AFRAM.” The festival returned to using that name in 2017, moved to Druid Hill Park and cut down offerings to a one day event.

Don’t call it a comeback

While the initial move and changes to Druid Hill Park drew criticism, thousands enjoyed the space as the home of AFRAM in 2018 and 2019. 

Then COVID hit. 

As the world grappled with a global pandemic, festival organizers worked double time to keep the moment built with the festival from evaporating and prioritize public health.

While the 2020 festival was cancelled, in 2021 the festival provided hybrid offerings, with performances taking place virtually. Organizers held the first AFRAM Restaurant week and there were community activities taking place across the city.

When the festival fully returned in 2022 during Juneteenth weekend, hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors descended on Druid Hill Park, once again solidifying the festival’s place as a top summer festival. 

AFRAM at 50

This year’s anniversary celebration is expected to draw major crowds with a lineup that includes Charlie Wilson, Mario, Paula Campbell, Brandon Woody, Lil Mo,  PJ Morton, Tamia, The Lox and other featured performers as part of Baltimore’s 2026 AFRAM festival.

AFRAM will once again offer much more than music. Organizers are planning expanded youth programming, including a larger KidZone with interactive games and creative activities, along with health and wellness offerings, vendors and arts programming throughout the weekend. The celebration will also reconnect with one of its early traditions. The Run Up to Juneteenth 5K and one-mile walk will take place in partnership with the SEED School of Maryland.

Former Maryland State Sen. Barbara Robinson (D-Md.-District 40) said AFRAM’s growth has long reflected the spirit of the city.

 “I love AFRAM,” she said. “The people, the music and the growth of this festival are a tribute to Baltimore.” 

AFRAM 50 will be held at Druid Hill Park Friday, June 19 from 3-9 p.m.; and June 20-21. The festival will run each day from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Read more about AFRAM here!

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