The 2024 edition of AfriFest Cincy Taste of Africa recorded a striking patronage much to the admiration of the organizers.

In all, over five thousand (5,000) people made up of food vendors, marketers, business owners, security personnel, volunteers and buyers turned up for the one-day event at Sawyer Point Park in Downtown Cincinnati over the weekend.

AfriFest Cincy Taste of Africa believed to be the largest African cultural event in Cincinnati is hosted by a Non-Profit Organization, African Professionals Network (APNET).

The family-friendly event which occurs annually provides the platform for the display of art, culture and diversity in the local community to whip up awareness as well as to connect people of different backgrounds.

The President of the African Professionals Network (APNET), Prof. Prince F. Ellis, disclosed that the festival which started about eight years ago as a small picnic has seen phenomenal growth over the years.

"The fact that City Authorities moved us to Sawyer Point Park which is the biggest stage in Cincinnati in order to accommodate the growing numbers is a clear manifestation that we have arrived"

Prof. Ellis also a lecturer at the University of Cincinnati explained that these festivals apart from connecting people also help to nurture leaders since most of the organizers are volunteers.

The Mayor of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval who joined board members of APNET to officially open this year's AfriFest Cincy Taste of Africa, praised the African community for their immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the city.

APNET

Formed in 2010, APNET's mission is to provide a forum that unites professionals of African origin and their allies to promote and facilitate charitable and educational initiatives among members and the larger communities they belong to.

Since its inception, the African Professionals Network has provided services like mentorship, career development, jobs, letters of recommendation for students, summer classes among others to the teeming youth within the African community.

Vendors

They showcased their traditional African cuisines, businesses, organizations or countries and the sale of ornaments ranging from beads, necklaces and African textile prints.

Chief Executive Officer of Luchy's Kitchen, Oluchi Nwankwo who registered a sold-out halfway into the festival commended the organizers of the program for providing a platform to tell the African story through food.

Patrons

Dr Nana Kissiwa-Arthur Mensah, a lecturer at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and Mrs Belinda S. Wireko, a retired Nurse Practitioner were thrilled by the enchanting atmosphere and the fact that they could sit under a shady tree to enjoy their favourite Ghanaian delicacy called 'kelewele'.