Cultural Festivals
A Day to Celebrate the Music, Culture, Heritage We Live Every Day.
Mark your calendars for our grandest event of the year! The Minnesota African Cultural Festival is our annual family reunion, a day and night dedicated to celebrating everything that makes our heritage beautiful, diverse, and powerful.
This is the moment we come together as one people to honor our ancestors, showcase our incredible talents, and create lasting memories.
It is a platform to educate, inspire, and provide our communities with access to rich cultural resources. All Africans and friends of Africa are invited to celebrate with us and be proud of who you are!
Our Vision
The Vision of One Tikar is to build and strengthen the African Immigrant Diaspora communities in the Twin Cities through engagement initiatives, focusing on cultural education, heritage preservation and empowering the next generations.
We continue to create platforms for cultural expression and foster a deeper understanding of African Cultural Diversity through the conduit of the African Cultural Festival and continuous community engagements.
We are committed to fostering and promoting economic development and increasing exposure for African-owned businesses in the areas of Business Ownership, Healthcare, Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development.
We enhance networking opportunities within the African Immigrant Diaspora Communities in the Twin Cities, Minnesota by promoting unity and shared cultural identity.
Our Mission
The Mission of One Tikar is amplified through the Annual African Cultural Festival in Minnesota and monthly community engagements. The goal is to promote economic development through increased exposure for African-owned businesses and African Community Organizations.
The African Cultural Festival is also a platform for networking where African Businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the public, procurement officers from major corporations and government entities
The African Cultural Festival is an also a platform to educate and inspire the African communities to gain access and exposure to cultural resources.
We foster and promote economic development and increase exposure through training & Development for African-owned businesses and Community Organizations, in the areas of Business Ownership, Healthcare, Mental Wellness, Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development.
Our Strategy
We believe in action that comes from the heart. Our strategy is built on three pillars:
Cultural Celebration & Preservation:
We create vibrant platforms for cultural expression, with the annual African Cultural Festival as our centerpiece. Through this and other community engagements, we focus on cultural education, heritage preservation, and empowering the next generation to carry our traditions forward.
Economic Empowerment:
We are dedicated to the economic prosperity of our community. We provide high-visibility platforms for African-owned businesses, facilitate crucial networking opportunities, and offer targeted training and development to foster sustainable growth and wealth creation.
Community & Connection:
We serve as a vital bridge, connecting members of the diaspora with each other and with their heritage. We work to promote a shared cultural identity, enhance networking, and provide resources that strengthen the bonds of our entire community in the Twin Cities.
The Park Event: An African Village EXPO
The celebration begins during the day with our African Village EXPO at Centennial Park—a vibrant and free event open to the entire community. Immerse yourself in a world of African traditions.
Explore a bustling marketplace with vendor stalls offering authentic arts, crafts, and fashion from across the continent. Savor the irresistible flavors of authentic African food, lose yourself in the rhythmic beats of traditional music and dance, and watch the joyful Children’s Parade of Nations.
It is a day of pure, immersive cultural joy designed for the whole family to experience the soul of Africa right here in Minnesota.
The Gala Night: An Evening of Elegance and Celebration
As the sun sets, the celebration continues with our elegant Gala Night. This ticketed affair is an evening to dress to impress in your finest African fashion and enjoy a night of sophisticated entertainment.
The Gala is the crowning jewel of our festival, featuring renowned guest artists, a spectacular fashion extravaganza showcasing local and international designers, and a dance floor that stays alive until the early hours.
It is a night of glamour, powerful networking, and an unforgettable celebration of our community’s success and vibrant future.
Join Our Journey - Become a Part of the Story
This is more than a mission; it is a movement of the heart, a celebration of the unity and strength of the African diaspora.We are the generation that is rebuilding bridges to our heritage and creating a powerful legacy for our children. Your support is the foundation of this work. Join us by donating to our cause, volunteering your time, or attending our events. Together, we can empower our community, preserve our cultures, and ensure the flame of our heritage burns brighter than ever.