March 5, 2026, 3:29 p.m. ET
- Florida A&M University hosted its annual Harambee Festival to celebrate Black culture and community.
- The festival, whose name means “all pull together” in Swahili, returned to the FAMU campus after being held elsewhere.
- The event featured musical performances, Greek life presentations, and over 50 vendors, drawing an estimated 2,000 attendees.
On the final day of Black History Month on Feb. 28, music, culture and community converged at Florida A&M University’s Will Packer Amphitheater as the annual Harambee Festival welcomed residents from across Tallahassee for a celebration rooted in connection and collective pride.
Inspired by the Swahili word “Harambee,” meaning “all pull together,” the festival reflected what makes Tallahassee and FAMU distinctive: a shared commitment to celebrating Black culture in real time.
“It’s always good to come back home,” said Vernon Bryant, events coordinator at FAMU, reflecting on the decision to host the festival on campus again. “My parents taught me that no matter where you go, if times get rough, you can come back home.”
Founded in the late 1980s by three professors in the arts, Harambee began as a multi-day campus event before relocating to Cascades Park. Bryant said returning it to FAMU felt both symbolic and necessary.
“I felt like it was time for it to come back home and utilize the spaces that we have,” he said. “You’d be surprised that there are quite a few people in Tallahassee who have never even stepped foot on this campus.”
FAMU President Marva Johnson grounded the celebration in a broader conversation about legacy and opportunity.
“Black History Month is a time to remember,” Johnson told the crowd. “But at Florida A&M University, we do not need a calendar to remind us who we are. We live it. We produce it. We prove it, every single day.”
She highlighted FAMU’s ranking as the No. 1 public HBCU in the nation for seven consecutive years and its recognition among top public institutions nationally for social mobility.
“HBCUs represent just 3% of colleges and universities nationwide. Yet we produce nearly 20% of all African American graduates,” she said. “That is not a footnote in the story of American higher education. That is the story.”
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Johnson connected FAMU’s legacy to the broader American narrative.
“As we approach the 250th anniversary of this nation, we are called to ask: who built this country? Who defended its promise, even when that promise was not extended to them?” she said. “FAMU alumni are woven into the answer.”
She cited trailblazers including tennis legend Althea Gibson, Congresswoman Carrie Meek, Judge Joseph Woodrow Hatchett, civil rights attorney and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, Olympian Bob Hayes and Head Football Coach Jake Gaither.
“These are not just FAMU stories,” Johnson said. “These are American stories and the American story is not complete without them.”
The festival mirrored a spirit of unity throughout the afternoon. DJ Loose Kid opened the event, while longtime Marching “100” announcer Joe Bullard energized the crowd before sponsor acknowledgements and greetings from local leaders.
Activities included a performance by the FAMU Gospel Choir and Greek performances featuring the Beta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority and more.
The afternoon also featured international-performing saxophonist BK Jackson and six-time Grammy nominated artist Ashanti Floyd “The Mad Violinist.”
Organizers estimate nearly 2,000 people attended, reinforcing Harambee’s continued growth as a cultural staple in Tallahassee.
Kyle Harris, assistant professor of History and African American Studies, described Harambee as more than a celebration.
“As the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, the conscience of the academy, we are responsible for ensuring that our university remains committed to our culture and to moving the African-American agenda forward,” Harris said. “Without our students, FAMU cannot move forward. This is the next generation.”
For many attendees, the impact was personal.
Tallahassee resident Malika Larry, whose family has longstanding ties to FAMU, described the day as meaningful and familiar.
“FAMU has always been a part of my life: my mom, her sisters and my cousins all went here,” she said. “Being out here, meeting local vendors and just enjoying the festival has been really special.”
More than 50 vendors participated, many traveling to Tallahassee to be part of the experience.
Renata Burns, co-founder of Carbon Based Cell Food, said this was her first Harambee Festival.
“We tapped in and came to support, and it’s been an amazing experience so far,” Burns said.
Traveling from Chattanooga, Tennessee, she said being on an HBCU campus during Black History Month carried deeper meaning.
“It’s an honor to be here and to be part of something like this,” she said.
