By Nyame-Kye Kondo
Special to the AFRO
The weather was warm and the vibrations were high at Robert C. Marshall Park on Sept. 13, as the Love Groove Festival touched down in Baltimore City for its ninth year. Positive energy radiated from the festival grounds, spilling into the wider community and setting the tone for a day of music, art, and empowerment.
Founded in 2017 by Baltimore native John Tyler, Love Groove Festival was inspired by the beauty of interactive cultural spaces, block parties, live performances and curated activities. Tyler wanted to centralize that spirit in an event rooted in the Black community. Almost a decade into doing this work, he is proud of how far the festival has come.
“It’s such a beautiful day. There are so many beautiful Black people around showing love, care, creativity and collaboration,” Tyler said. “We are showcasing Baltimore culture on a grand scale, and showing that we can come together, partner and create together.”
Malaika Clements enjoys a cool lemonade at the annual Love Groove Festival. Credit: AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Satori Clements plays on the buckets at the annual Love Groove Festival. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Founder of Love Groove John Tyler engages with the crowd and beams joyously at the event’s success. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Dozens mill around the Love Groove Festival grounds taking in the music, art and community.(AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Friends Ursula Chioke (left), Crystal Yuille, Alejandro Gutierrez, Charles Clark, Hannah Starnes, Gianni Davis and Jess Rivera fellowship at the Love Groove Festival and take in the good vibes.(AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Gianni Davis beams with joy at the ninth annual Love Groove Festival. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Several local performers grace the festival stage. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Martaz “Taz” Gaines, Daniel Satterwhite and Andrew Koritzer enjoy good music and their friendship at the Love Groove Festival. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Joseph Johnson II (forefront), Gabrielle Williams and Kayani Turner enjoy some Taharka ice cream served by Lo Sawyer. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Imani Halley enjoys some hula hoop fun with her friends on the Love Groove Festival grounds. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Progressive filmmaker and community leader Nia Hampton takes some time out of her busy schedule to enjoy the festivities. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Headliner and Baltimore native Serpent with Feet (Jonathan Wise) moves the audience with his melodic voice and positive message. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Taharka co-founder Vinny “Cousin Vinny” Green serves up ice cream to brothers Chase Massey and Nyziaah Massey. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo) 
Morgan Jones enjoys the festivities from the comfort of her checkered blanket. (AFRO Photo/ Nyame-kye Kondo)
Still, Tyler acknowledged the hardships of overcoming misconceptions and breaking down barriers.
“A lot of people who aren’t from Baltimore are scared of here, and even some of the people who are from here are scared to come to the area we’re in–the Black Arts District,” he said. But, he added, “The fact that we had 3,000 RSVPs and at least 1,000 people here today says a lot. We can form strategic partnerships, share together, live together and grow together. I’m very happy to be a community leader, and I’m expecting more to come in the future.”
That energy of resilience and determination to create positive change through communal partnerships could be felt throughout the park, from the organizers to the performers and vendors.
In the middle of the park, a big purple truck from Taharka Brothers Ice Cream kept the crowd cool with Baltimore-made frozen desserts. Co-founder Vinny Green—known affectionately as “Cousin Vinny”—was on site and reflected on his journey and how it too started with grassroots activism.
“I’ve been with this company (Taharka) since I was a freshman in high school. This was my first summer job as a kid who grew up in Harlem Park,” he recalled. “Now, being one of the owners and having shops all over Baltimore, it means a lot. We love to work with some of the biggest people making change, like John Tyler with the Love Groove Festival.”
Handing two beaming Black boys free ice cream, Green emphasized the importance of giving back.
“We like to be a staple, to highlight and bring as much support as possible—the visibility to create change. To let people know this is doable. To show children that they can do something awesome in the community and have an impact,” he said.
The festival’s welcoming spirit extended to newcomers as well. Sandra Danner, co-owner of L&S Off the Hook, a crochet clothing company, said she was honored to join the family.
“This is our first time coming to the Love Groove Festival, and it’s fabulous,” she said. “I heard this is the ninth one, and I’m not sure how we missed out on the first eight.”
Closing out the performances, headliner and Baltimore native Serpentwithfeet serenaded the audience and expressed how good it felt to be back home.
“I was born and raised in Baltimore, and I currently live in New York,” he said. “The experience today was fantastic. I really enjoyed myself, the people were warm, and it felt good to give back and to do a home show.”