African Heritage Month Celebration 

Mayor's Office on African Affairs Turns 10! 

Featured Program 

RSVP here. 

Doors open at 5:30 pm. 

Learn more about the performers below. 

Headliner | Wondaboy

Blessed Edewor, AKA Wondaboy, is far from a novice to Nigeria’s Music Industry. In 2008, he and his former band, The Diamondz, were crowned the winners of the Star Quest Singing Competition which officially began his professional music career. In 2012, Wonda embarked on a solo career as a singer/songwriter/producer, and was signed to LNB Entertainment by Lilian N. Blankson. She handpicked the artist for international branding and promotion which resulted in a major and exciting career renovation. 

Wondaboy’s hit record “BEFORE THEN” featuring BET Award winner Sarkodie, became a massive success on international radio & television. The video took over air waves all over the US, UK & Africa with rotation on Soundcity, BET 106 & Park International, Channel O & MTV Base. Though released in 2013, “BEFORE THEN” continues to enjoy consistent radio, night club and air play WORLDWIDE making it a major musical success for Wondaboy. Constantly creating music, he has released over twelve other official singles in the last few years. 

Follow Wondaboy on Facebook and Twitter @IAmWONDABOY.

KanKouran West African Dance Group

KanKouran was formed in 1983, in Washington, DC, by Artistic Director Assane Konte and former Director of Music, Abdou Kounta, who grew up together in Dakar, Senegal. After many months of recruiting, training and performing at local venues, the Company presented its first full-length concert, “A Visit to Africa” in 1985.  And with that performance, an institution was born. Although many dancers and drummers have come and gone, to this day KanKouran continues under the leadership of its co-founder/Artistic Director, Assane Konte. KanKouran is home to three performing companies: the Senior, Junior, and Children’s groups. The company, whose members were born in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the culture of Africa.

Follow KanKouran on Facebook and Twitter. 

Emé & Hateru

Emé & Hateru is best known for performing infectious dance grooves. Their funky brass and horns, tight rhythms and uplifting vocals effortlessly joins the dots between DC’s hip-jazz pulse, Afrobeat, and Reggae music. Described as “electrifying” by Huffingtonpost.com, the band has been featured on various festivals, special galas and music television shows. Awarded 2014 Atlas Performing Artists, the group says it draws inspiration from diverse cultures and identifies with music as a uniting agent. The band is a regular feature at Smithsonian’s “African Underground”, and has performed across the east coast including Brown University gala honoring late activist and author, Chinua Achebe.

Follow Emé & Hateru on Facebook and Twitter. 

Feedel Band 

Feedel is by definition, the Amharic word for letter or alphabet. In all languages we learn to speak and read, one letter at a time. Feedel Band is taking Ethiopian music and Jazz, and blending it into a simmering stew of musical genreʼs, textures and feeling. They are creating and in some cases re-creating the musical genre. Feedel takes Ethiopian melodies structured over the traditional scales and play them highlighting rhythms of the world. The members of Feedel Band are acclaimed musicians in their own right. Individually, and as part of a larger group theyʼve all performed with numerous well known Ethiopian musicians and artists from around the globe. 

Follow Feedel Band on Facebook and Twitter. 

Anna Mwalagho

Anna Mwalagho is an internationally recognized actress, comedian, poet/spoken word artist, African dancer, singer/songwriter, and storyteller. She has won numerous national awards in her native country Kenya, and here in the US, where she is recognized as the Queen of spoken Afro beat and also "Mama Africa". She has captivated many with her blend of spoken word, African dance, music, comedy, acting, and storytelling into an electrifying one woman show.  Anna Mwalagho  has she entertained dignitaries such as Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, Henry Louis Gates, Forest Whitaker, Lynn Whitfield and Louis Gosset, Jr.,  among others. Anna has performed at the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center,  the Manhattan Center,  the World Bank, UNAIDS International Conference, Capitol Hill U.S House of Representatives (Cannon Building), the Washington Convention Center,  Smithsonian Museum of African Art, and the US State Department. Anna takes her one-woman show and band to scholastic institutions, organizations, civic groups, festivals and specials events, with the aim of educating, entertaining, and uniting humanity. 

Follow Anna on Facebook and Twitter. 

RSVP to MOAA's 10th Year Celebration Here!