By Michelle RichardsonSpecial to the AFRO
Day One of many African American pageant (AFRAM), which happened on June 21 noticed a number of the largest stars in music grace the principle stage, whereas additionally highlighting native expertise, providing a number of the metropolis’s finest delicacies and showcasing Black excellence by artwork, trend and tradition.
AFRAM started in 1976 as a part of Baltimore’s Showcase of Nations and now serves as the town’s official Juneteenth celebration. The free pageant, held over the course of two days – Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 – is among the largest African American occasions held on the East Coast, in keeping with the Workplace of the Mayor. Over 150,000 folks attended the primary day of the pageant, which was held at historic Druid Hill Park. Shuttle companies introduced company to and from the park and ran each quarter-hour.
“We all know what AFRAM is: it’s a celebration of every part that’s Black excellence,” mentioned Mayor Brandon Scott. “It’s one of many largest festivals on the East Coast devoted to Black historical past and tradition. We’ll proceed having AFRAM, and due to the state of the world we’re most likely going to be extra loud and even Blacker this 12 months to remind all people that irrespective of how exhausting they attempt to erase us from the historical past books, they will’t erase us.”
(AFRO Images/ Michelle Richardson)
Competition attendees unfold blankets on the garden, and pitched tents to beat the warmth whereas they waited for worldwide artists to hit the principle stage.
Hitting the principle stage on Saturday was R&B singer Vedo, rapper JT from The Metropolis Women, UK dancehall artist Stefflon Don and Money Cash’s personal Juvenile together with his band, 400 Degreez. Rapper JT was a last-minute addition after rapper Saweetie needed to cancel as a consequence of an damage she sustained on trip.
The primary stage was hosted by 92Q radio character Chey Parker and Baltimore native and social media influencer Cool Ant. Chey and Ant stored the group entertained in between acts whereas WPGC’s DJ Redzz made it really feel like a day get together together with his signature model of blending music.
“Yo, Afro-American Newspaper, shout out to them for being right here masking this lovely occasion that’s occurring, AFRAM 2025. And we’d like this. We want platforms, we’d like folks like this to unfold our message the best way it’s imagined to be advised,” mentioned Cool Ant.
“I really like the truth that it reveals the authenticity of Baltimore, like…every part you get in a 12 months of Baltimore is crammed on this, from the meals to the vibe to the folks. You bought our flesh pressers right here, those who’s in the neighborhood, those who’s for the group… . The out-of-towners come and we embrace them as effectively so it’s a possibility to showcase our metropolis,” Cool Ant advised the AFRO.
Showcasing Baltimore was the theme of this 12 months’s pageant, and for the primary time in pageant historical past, a second stage was added to showcase native expertise. Known as the “Roots and Household” stage, the platform options acts resembling Dayvon Fleming, Cierralione, Ainae, Lor Xay Xay, John Tyler, Brandon Kanon, Iahial, Wombwork Productions and Baltimore dwelling legend Tim Timber. Tim Timber was the final act to carry out, closing out the native expertise portion of AFRAM with hits like “Financial institution Rolls,” “How Does It Really feel,” and “Be A Pal,” and a few of his newer music.
The AFRO had an opportunity to meet up with Timber, who was born and raised in East Baltimore, earlier than he hit the stage to ask him what AFRAM meant to him and why it’s so vital for Baltimore and the tradition.
“It offers us an opportunity to get collectively,” the performer mentioned of the pageant. “We bought a multicultural tradition but it surely’s primarily based closely on Afro-Individuals like me and also you. I would like folks to know that Baltimore is a superb place to reside.”
The Roots and Household stage was hosted by Baltimore native, professor, poet and director of MICA’s MFA Group Arts Program, Distinctive Robinson.
Day considered one of AFRAM noticed a mixture of totally different cultures come collectively, with meals distributors serving every part from Jamaican delicacies, soul meals, wine tastings, assorted desserts and normal pageant meals. Distributors have been additionally promoting garments, books, artwork and novelties. There was additionally a manicure and barber station the place pageant goers may get a haircut, or get their nails finished.
“That is lit! I ain’t by no means seen this at a pageant, for actual,” mentioned one enthusiastic attendee who requested not be recognized. “I actually love us, for actual. We’re the one individuals who would consider one thing like this.”
Sadly, the day was not with out incident as one thing precipitated the group to disperse and nearly trigger a stampede. Nobody was injured however police have been pursuing a couple of people. No phrase on if these folks have been arrested.
Because of the warmth, there have been a couple of individuals who handed out, however safety and emergency personnel dealt with them with care, and everybody made full recoveries.
Michael Johnson, a Virginia native, mentioned this was his second time attending AFRAM after a buddy purchased him in 2024.
“I just like the folks and the tradition. The older folks and the youthful youngsters. I all the time have a good time. It’s stress-free and I all the time get pleasure from myself,” he mentioned.
The AFRO additionally caught up with Miss Maryland 2025 Pamela Blackmon who has been attending AFRAM nearly yearly. Blackmon, a Randallstown native, mentioned Black folks is why she continues to return to the pageant.
“I come for us–the camaraderie,” she mentioned. “To see us thrive and do effectively and all the companies. Everybody partnering and networking. We’re one hundred pc breaking the stigma and generational curses. And we don’t all the time need to be related to ‘The Wire’ however we personal it, and there’s a lot of constructive in Baltimore and while you come to the pageant, you see that positivity.”
Day Two of AFRAM kicked off on Sunday, closing out the pageant with performances from Teedra Moses, Amerie and legendary singer Patti LaBelle. To learn extra about AFRAM’s lineup, get particulars on the way to change into a vendor or volunteer for 2026, go to AFRAM’s official web site HERE.
