![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_5HARAMBEE.jpg\")
Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson, J.D., shares a moment with a student\n during the Harambee Festival, capturing the spirit of connection and community on
\n campus. (Photo Courtesy: Kyrease Desseau)<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.\u00a0\u2014 The Harambee Festival made its highly anticipated return to the campus of Florida
\n A&M University (FAMU), transforming the Will Packer Amphitheater into a vibrant celebration
\n of culture and community on the final day of Black History Month.<\/p>\n
Now in its ninth year, the annual festival marked a pivotal moment debuting on campus,
\n after a long-running stint at Cascade Park, deepening its connection to the very community
\n it aims to uplift.<\/p>\n
Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson, J.D., shares a moment with a student
\n during the Harambee Festival, capturing the spirit of connection and community on
\n campus. (Photo Courtesy: Kyrease Desseau)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
FAMU President Marva Johnson, J.D., ushered in greetings as she addressed attendees.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlack History Month is a time to remember. But at Florida A&M University, we do not
\n need a calendar to remind us who we are. We live it. We produce it. We prove it, every
\n single day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Johnson also noted that FAMU has been ranked the No. 1 public HBCU in the nation for
\n seven consecutive years and is recognized among the top public institutions for social
\n mobility.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_6HARAMBEE.jpg\")
The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir delivers a powerful performance during the
\n Harambee Festival, filling the Will Packer Amphitheater with energy, unity and soulful
\n expression. (Photo Courtesy: Kyrease Desseau)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the center of the festival\u2019s success is Vernon Bryant, event coordinator at FAMU,
\n who said the festival brings together community members, students and leaders across
\n generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the project manager for the festival, this experience has shown me how to bring
\n community leaders together for one common cause \u2014 unity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Vendors traveled from across Florida and neighboring states, including Georgia, offering
\n African-inspired fashion, handcrafted goods and natural hair and body products such
\n as shea butter and essential oils.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our products are African-made, and it\u2019s about culturally based items like
\n Dashiki shirts,\u201d said Dexter Bryant of Bling Bling Blessings Mobile Boutique. \u201cWe
\n also incorporate African-inspired designs into our hats.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many businesses offered FAMU-themed apparel alongside Afrocentric jewelry, blending
\n tradition with contemporary style.<\/p>\n
FAMU\u2019s schools and colleges were also represented throughout the festival, sharing
\n information about programs, initiatives and opportunities that continue to shape the
\n next generation of leaders.<\/p>\n
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![\"Representatives](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_4HARAMBEE2026.jpg\")
Representatives from Florida A&M University\u2019s College of Social Sciences, Arts and
\n Humanities engage festivalgoers during the Harambee Festival, showcasing academic
\n programs and community impact at their interactive booth. (Photo Courtesy: Kyrease Desseau)<\/p>\n
On stage, the celebration continued with a powerful lineup of performances, including
\n the FAMU Gospel Choir, the Beta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band
\n Sorority, Inc., and the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., jazz
\n musician BK Jackson and artist Ashanti Floyd.<\/p>\n
Together, the performances created a rich tapestry of sound, tradition and artistic
\n expression.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_7HARAMBEE.jpg\")
Saxophonist BK Jackson delivers an electrifying performance during the Harambee Festival
\n at Florida A&M University\u2019s Will Packer Amphitheater, adding to the day\u2019s vibrant
\n celebration of culture and music.(Photo Courtesy: Kyrease Desseau)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad we have this opportunity to celebrate our Black history, especially because
\n it\u2019s not celebrated everywhere,\u201d said Amya Morris, a FAMU student. \u201cI\u2019m also glad
\n it\u2019s on campus because it\u2019s easily accessible to others.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Swahili, \u201cHarambee\u201d means \u201call pull together,\u201d a theme reflected throughout the
\n festival.<\/p>\n
As Black History Month came to a close, the Harambee Festival reinforced FAMU\u2019s ongoing
\n role as a cultural and community anchor.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_2HARAMBEE2026.jpg\")
A FAMU student artist brings a vibrant portrait to life during the Harambee Festival
\n at the Will Packer Amphitheater, capturing culture, creativity and expression in real
\n time. (Photo Courtesy: Kyrease Desseau)<\/p>\n
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Media Contact:<\/p>\n
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n