‘For the Culture KS Fest’ Coming This Summer to Topeka, Three-Day Event Will Celebrate African American Culture and Heritage

A new first-of-its-kind festival celebrating African American culture and heritage is coming this summer to Kansas’ capital city! “For the Culture KS Fest” — which will run July 28-30 in Topeka — will include not only musical performances and vendors, but networking and panel sessions focused on professional and personal growth for Black individuals.

“We wanted to create a sustainable art and cultural initiative for the state of Kansas that celebrates the positive influences in our local communities,” said co-founder Rodney Harmon, a Department of Justice - Bureau of Prisons retiree living in Topeka who has since dedicated his time to community volunteering and mentoring. “We’ve never seen Black culture represented on this scale before, and we wanted it to be more than a music festival. This is why we sought to include activities focusing on more than just performances, bringing together the intersection of art, business, health, and history of the African American community.”

The festival will begin with an opening ceremony, held by local leaders from Kansas and abroad, at downtown Topeka’s Evergy Plaza. The three-day event will feature several musical performances from local artists: Kansas-native Justin Aarons, a Top 8 contestant on The Voice; saxophonist JahVelle, who recently performed at the NFL Draft; Topeka-native and rapper Brandon “Bizzy” Evans, and more. Discussion panels, hosted by a diverse group of experts, will range in topic from business development to personal wellness. Additional activities include a choir hour with participation from five different churches; a two-hour African American history bus tour led by local historians Sherri Camp and Donna Rae Pearson; an art exhibit at the historic Jayhawk Theater; and scholarship giveaways of $1,000 each to three local high school students.

“Our vision for the festival is to create a platform for education, dialogue and opportunity by bringing a multitude of travelers to Topeka from across the state and abroad,” said co-founder Mackenzi Mondesir, a Topeka resident who has made it a priority to incorporate social good throughout his career as a financial and banking professional. “We are dedicated to providing a welcoming space for everyone across the state, and beyond, to experience the joys, history and identity of African American culture through the arts.”

Home to Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka played a vital role in the U.S. civil rights movement. For the Culture KS will follow the 69th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation in public schools in May 1954. The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, located inside Topeka’s Monroe Elementary, will be part of the historical bus tour designed to educate and engage visitors, along with other notable spots like The Ritchie House and Constitution Hall.

“We’re proud to support Topeka’s inaugural For the Culture KS Fest and strongly believe in its mission of expanding the diverse cultural offerings our area has to offer,” said Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka. “From Fiesta Topeka to Pride Kansas to the upcoming Brown v. Board 70th anniversary commemoration, and other unique cultural events held here annually, the Topeka area continues to be a model for inclusive community celebrations that draw visitors from around the region and across the country. This July is going to be a big month for Kansas’ capital city, so don’t miss it!”

“For The Culture KS is going to be an amazing first-time festival that adds to the area’s portfolio of events and offers something new to people in the region — all while uplifting the African American community, empowering entrepreneurs and artists, and creating space to celebrate Black joy,” said Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer for GO Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership. “This event is open to all. I’m excited to see passionate Topekans stepping forward to organize it, and I look forward to it being held here for years to come.”

“I’ve been in Topeka all my life and have never seen a cultural celebration like this in the Midwest before,” said Alonzo Harrison, owner of HDB Construction, the longest-running civil construction company in Kansas, and also a For the Culture KS Fest board member. “I’m very proud of the work this group, along with our community, is doing to not only celebrate but also educate on African American culture. It’s been a long time coming, and we want to do this right.”

To learn more about For the Culture KS Fest, visit www.forthecultureks.org, or follow the group on social media @forthecultureks.