Staff Report

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The African Wardrobe Festival is a fashion festival where the attendees are the models and everywhere they go is the runway. The festival’s mission is to bridge the cultural gap between the African diaspora and African Americans; to educate and promulgate African history, traditions, and culture by organizing cultural events, festivals, workshops, and talks. It features the finest African clothes, arts & craft and literature.

“There are a lot of cultural adventures in store for the festival, and the experience will be like no other,” said Jaury Jean-Enard, Creative Director.

This year’s festival is scheduled for Saturday Nov. 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the Old Dillard Museum, 1009 NW 4th Street, Fort Lauderdale. The speakers include:

Ayanbinrin Tosin: affectionately known as ‘Mother Drum Africa’ she is the quintessential vocalist, dancer, and a talking drummer. Although traditionally preserved for men, she is among the rare women to successfully play the drums and inspire others in the process with her music. Recently, Tosin was honored by the Mayor of Miami as the cultural ambassador. In Dallas, she was named the Custodian of the Yoruba Heritage by Impeccable First Eye Concept in Dallas. She is also known for drum classes, tie-dye, folklore songs and cooking African dishes.

Dr. Yinka Tella: president of the Nigerian American Foundation and promoter of African Museum of Arts and Culture (AMAC) He oversees all aspects of the Nigerian American Foundation in furthering the collective interests of all nonprofit Nigerian associations in South Florida.

Babacar M’bow: Senegalese scholar and arts curator, he is also the former International Programs and Exhibit Coordinator for Broward County Libraries Division. M’bow was a recent speaker at the Caribbean Studies Association – Haiti Conference.

Dr. Agbeko-Kwasi (AK) Tosu: international consultant and socio-pathologist whose work centers on facilitating transformative resolution pertaining to human relations, culture and diversity.

The festival will also feature an art exhibit and silent auction, a Q&A session with the panelists, documentary screening, a best- dressed competition in African attire, and a DJ.

Regular admission is $30.00 and VIP admission is $40.00 Tickets are on sale at www.AfricanWardrobeFestival.org/tix. For more information, e-mail: info@AfricanWardrobeFestival.org or visit www.AfricanWardrobeFestival.org.