By Michelle RichardsonSpecial to the AFRO
Day One of many African American pageant (AFRAM), which happened on June 21 noticed a number of the largest stars in music grace the principle stage, whereas additionally highlighting native expertise, providing a number of the metropolis’s greatest delicacies and showcasing Black excellence via artwork, trend and tradition.
AFRAM started in 1976 as a part of Baltimore’s Showcase of Nations and now serves as town’s official Juneteenth celebration. The free pageant, held over the course of two days – Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 – is among the largest African American occasions held on the East Coast, in response to the Workplace of the Mayor. Over 150,000 individuals attended the primary day of the pageant, which was held at historic Druid Hill Park. Shuttle companies introduced friends to and from the park and ran each quarter-hour.
“We all know what AFRAM is: it’s a celebration of every thing that’s Black excellence,” stated Mayor Brandon Scott. “It’s one of many largest festivals on the East Coast devoted to Black historical past and tradition. We’ll proceed having AFRAM, and due to the state of the world we’re most likely going to be extra loud and even Blacker this 12 months to remind all people that regardless of how exhausting they attempt to erase us from the historical past books, they will’t erase us.”
(AFRO Photographs/ Michelle Richardson)
Pageant attendees unfold blankets on the garden, and pitched tents to beat the warmth whereas they waited for worldwide artists to hit the principle stage.
Hitting the principle stage on Saturday was R&B singer Vedo, rapper JT from The Metropolis Women, UK dancehall artist Stefflon Don and Money Cash’s personal Juvenile along with his band, 400 Degreez. Rapper JT was a last-minute addition after rapper Saweetie needed to cancel on account of an harm she sustained on trip.
The primary stage was hosted by 92Q radio character Chey Parker and Baltimore native and social media influencer Cool Ant. Chey and Ant stored the group entertained in between acts whereas WPGC’s DJ Redzz made it really feel like a day occasion along with his signature type of blending music.
“Yo, Afro-American Newspaper, shout out to them for being right here protecting this stunning occasion that’s occurring, AFRAM 2025. And we’d like this. We want platforms, we’d like individuals like this to unfold our message the way in which it’s presupposed to be informed,” stated Cool Ant.
“I like the truth that it exhibits the authenticity of Baltimore, like…every thing you get in a 12 months of Baltimore is crammed on this, from the meals to the vibe to the individuals. You bought our legislators right here, people who’s in the neighborhood, people who’s for the group… . The out-of-towners come and we embrace them as effectively so it’s a chance to showcase our metropolis,” Cool Ant informed the AFRO.
Showcasing Baltimore was the theme of this 12 months’s pageant, and for the primary time in pageant historical past, a second stage was added to showcase native expertise. Known as the “Roots and Household” stage, the platform options acts similar to Dayvon Fleming, Cierralione, Ainae, Lor Xay Xay, John Tyler, Brandon Kanon, Iahial, Wombwork Productions and Baltimore residing legend Tim Timber. Tim Timber was the final act to carry out, closing out the native expertise portion of AFRAM with hits like “Financial institution Rolls,” “How Does It Really feel,” and “Be A Good friend,” and a few of his newer music.
The AFRO had an opportunity to meet up with Timber, who was born and raised in East Baltimore, earlier than he hit the stage to ask him what AFRAM meant to him and why it’s so essential for Baltimore and the tradition.
“It provides us an opportunity to get collectively,” the performer stated of the pageant. “We bought a multicultural tradition however it’s primarily based closely on Afro-Individuals like me and also you. I would like individuals to know that Baltimore is a good place to dwell.”
The Roots and Household stage was hosted by Baltimore native, professor, poet and director of MICA’s MFA Group Arts Program, Distinctive Robinson.
Day one in all AFRAM noticed a mixture of totally different cultures come collectively, with meals distributors serving every thing from Jamaican delicacies, soul meals, wine tastings, assorted desserts and basic pageant meals. Distributors have been additionally promoting garments, books, artwork and novelties. There was additionally a manicure and barber station the place pageant goers might get a haircut, or get their nails completed.
“That is lit! I ain’t by no means seen this at a pageant, for actual,” stated one enthusiastic attendee who requested not be recognized. “I actually love us, for actual. We’re the one individuals who would consider one thing like this.”
Sadly, the day was not with out incident as one thing triggered the group to disperse and nearly trigger a stampede. Nobody was injured however police have been pursuing a number of people. No phrase on if these individuals have been arrested.
As a result of warmth, there have been a number of individuals who handed out, however safety and emergency personnel dealt with them with care, and everybody made full recoveries.
Michael Johnson, a Virginia native, stated this was his second time attending AFRAM after a pal purchased him in 2024.
“I just like the individuals and the tradition. The older individuals and the youthful children. I all the time have a good time. It’s stress-free and I all the time get pleasure from myself,” he stated.
The AFRO additionally caught up with Miss Maryland 2025 Pamela Blackmon who has been attending AFRAM nearly yearly. Blackmon, a Randallstown native, stated Black individuals is why she continues to come back to the pageant.
“I come for us–the camaraderie,” she stated. “To see us thrive and do effectively and all the companies. Everybody partnering and networking. We’re one hundred pc breaking the stigma and generational curses. And we don’t all the time wish to be linked to ‘The Wire’ however we personal it, and there’s a lot of optimistic in Baltimore and once you come to the pageant, you see that positivity.”
Day Two of AFRAM kicked off on Sunday, closing out the pageant with performances from Teedra Moses, Amerie and legendary singer Patti LaBelle. To learn extra about AFRAM’s lineup, get particulars on change into a vendor or volunteer for 2026, go to AFRAM’s official web site HERE.
