By Michelle Richardson
Special to the AFRO
Day One of the African American festival (AFRAM), which took place on June 21 saw some of the biggest stars in music grace the main stage, while also highlighting local talent, offering some of the city’s best cuisine and showcasing Black excellence through art, fashion and culture.
AFRAM began in 1976 as part of Baltimore’s Showcase of Nations and now serves as the city’s official Juneteenth celebration. The free festival, held over the course of two days – Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 – is one of the largest African American events held on the East Coast, according to the Office of the Mayor. Over 150,000 people attended the first day of the festival, which was held at historic Druid Hill Park. Shuttle services brought guests to and from the park and ran every 15 minutes.
“We know what AFRAM is: it is a celebration of everything that is Black excellence,” said Mayor Brandon Scott. “It’s one of the largest festivals on the East Coast dedicated to Black history and culture. We will continue having AFRAM, and because of the state of the world we’re probably going to be more loud and even Blacker this year to remind everybody that no matter how hard they try to erase us from the history books, they can’t erase us.”
Festival attendees spread blankets on the lawn, and pitched tents to beat the heat while they waited for international artists to hit the main stage.
Hitting the main stage on Saturday was R&B singer Vedo, rapper JT from The City Girls, UK dancehall artist Stefflon Don and Cash Money’s own Juvenile with his band, 400 Degreez. Rapper JT was a last-minute addition after rapper Saweetie had to cancel due to an injury she sustained on vacation.
The main stage was hosted by 92Q radio personality Chey Parker and Baltimore native and social media influencer Cool Ant. Chey and Ant kept the crowd entertained in between acts while WPGC’s DJ Redzz made it feel like a day party with his signature style of mixing music.
“Yo, Afro-American Newspaper, shout out to them for being here covering this beautiful event that’s happening, AFRAM 2025. And we need this. We need platforms, we need people like this to spread our message the way it’s supposed to be told,” said Cool Ant.
“I love the fact that it shows the authenticity of Baltimore, like…everything you get in a year of Baltimore is crammed in this, from the food to the vibe to the people. You got our politicians here, people that’s in the community, people that’s for the community… . The out-of-towners come and we embrace them as well so it’s an opportunity to showcase our city,” Cool Ant told the AFRO.
Showcasing Baltimore was the theme of this year’s festival, and for the first time in festival history, a second stage was added to showcase local talent. Called the “Roots and Family” stage, the platform features acts such as Dayvon Fleming, Cierralione, Ainae, Lor Xay Xay, John Tyler, Brandon Kanon, Iahial, Wombwork Productions and Baltimore living legend Tim Trees. Tim Trees was the last act to perform, closing out the local talent portion of AFRAM with hits like “Bank Rolls,” “How Does It Feel,” and “Be A Friend,” and some of his newer music.
The AFRO had a chance to catch up with Trees, who was born and raised in East Baltimore, before he hit the stage to ask him what AFRAM meant to him and why it is so important for Baltimore and the culture.
“It gives us a chance to get together,” the performer said of the festival. “We got a multicultural culture but it’s based heavily on Afro-Americans like me and you. I want people to know that Baltimore is a great place to live.”
The Roots and Family stage was hosted by Baltimore native, professor, poet and director of MICA’s MFA Community Arts Program, Unique Robinson.
Day one of AFRAM saw a mix of different cultures come together, with food vendors serving everything from Jamaican cuisine, soul food, wine tastings, assorted desserts and general festival food. Vendors were also selling clothes, books, art and novelties. There was also a manicure and barber station where festival goers could get a haircut, or get their nails done.
“This is lit! I ain’t never seen this at a festival, for real,” said one enthusiastic attendee who asked not be identified. “I really love us, for real. We’re the only people who would think of something like this.”
Unfortunately, the day was not without incident as something caused the crowd to disperse and almost cause a stampede. No one was injured but police were pursuing a few individuals. No word on if those people were arrested.
Due to the heat, there were a few people who passed out, but security and emergency personnel handled them with care, and everyone made full recoveries.
Michael Johnson, a Virginia native, said this was his second time attending AFRAM after a friend bought him in 2024.
“I like the people and the culture. The older people and the younger kids. I always have a great time. It’s relaxing and I always enjoy myself,” he said.
The AFRO also caught up with Miss Maryland 2025 Pamela Blackmon who has been attending AFRAM almost every year. Blackmon, a Randallstown native, said Black people is why she continues to come to the festival.
“I come for us–the camaraderie,” she said. “To see us thrive and do well and all the businesses. Everyone partnering and networking. We are 100 percent breaking the stigma and generational curses. And we don’t always want to be connected to ‘The Wire’ but we own it, and there is a lot of positive in Baltimore and when you come to the festival, you see that positivity.”
Day Two of AFRAM kicked off on Sunday, closing out the festival with performances from Teedra Moses, Amerie and legendary singer Patti LaBelle. To read more about AFRAM’s lineup, get details on how to become a vendor or volunteer for 2026, visit AFRAM’s official website HERE.