2025 Afro-Diasporic Ocean Festival

A day filled with music, dance, food, and celebration of African, Afro-Latinx, and Afro-Caribbean cultures. Attendees immersed themselves in the vibrant rhythms and traditions of the African diaspora while enjoying ocean views at Rockaway Beach.

Quilombo do Acupe Capoeira Group

A local Afro-Brazilian capoeira group. Quilombo do Acupe symbolizes a profound history of resistance and autonomy in Brazil, where communities of escaped enslaved peoples found sanctuary and self-governance free from colonial rule — highlighting capoeira as a tool for empowerment, resilience, and community building.

Panel discussion hosted by afrolatin@ forum

The afrolatin@ forum centers Blackness within Latinidad and focuses on Latin@s of African descent in the United States, expanding our understanding of the African diaspora through dialogue and action.

Thank You

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for being part of the Afro-Diasporic Ocean Festival at Rockaway Beach! Whether you joined us in person, helped behind the scenes, or lent your support from afar, this event was a vibrant success because of you.

Together, we celebrated International Day of Afro-Descendant Women, ocean conservation, and the deep connection between cultural memory, land stewardship, and climate justice.

Our Volunteers and Production Crew

We extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers and production crew whose dedication, care, and behind-the-scenes efforts brought this festival to life.

Festival Producer: Tanya Alfonso — your leadership and dedication made all of this possible.

Special thanks to our production crew: Jova Vasquez, Kamila Hoe, Shellie Martinez, Niyah Bennett, Alex Lievano, and Alejandra Parra.

Offsite support — LiberArte's team: Yura Sapi, Martin Mungai, Valentina Gutierrez, Tobi Miracle, Yara Aly, and Brianna Nicole, along with the LiberArte Board of Directors and Donors.

Our Creative Team

Photographer: Cesar Cristancho (LUMO Studio). Videographer: Lowel Alomar. Reel Works Media Maker Intern: Jahida Seignious. Graphic Designer: Ashley Villanueva. Sound System: Eric Delage — your hard work made every moment possible.

Our Community Partners

We are deeply grateful to the individuals and organizations who brought vision, collaboration, and heart to this festival, whether that was behind the scenes or on the ground at the event. Special thanks to:

Afro-Latin@ Forum — Josue Perea. Oceanic Global — Gina Jurlando & Delaney Denmark. Raíces Nuevas — Julio Bermudez. Laru Beya Collective — Aydon Gabourel. Reel Works Media Makers. NYC Parks. Los Herederos — Naomi Sturm & Mauricio Bayona. AfroLatinx Travel — Dash Harris. La Casa de la Cultura — Milagros Ugueto.

Each of you helped ground this experience in joy, cultural memory, and collective purpose. Thank you for being part of our growing ecosystem of justice, art, and connection.

Festival Highlights

AfroLatina Wisdom: Guiding the Future of Ecojustice — Curated by Afro-Latin@ Forum, this powerful panel reminded us that AfroLatinas are ancestral wisdom keepers and leaders in the environmental justice movement. A heartfelt thank you to our moderator Isabela Arboleda-Ocoro and incredible guest panelists — Clarivel Ruiz, Milka Rodriguez, and Davina Resto — for guiding us in a critical, healing dialogue around ecojustice, legacy, and liberation.

Thank you to our incredible performers: Quilombo do Acupe, Afro-Brazilian capoeira group; Kim Macharia, our event host and ocean steward, who beautifully connected us to the power of nature through her words and songs; Julissa Emile, poet and healer, who opened hearts with her stunning words; Koku Gonza, who brought soul and diasporic connection through her Afrobeat-inspired music; Mai-Elka Prado Gil, who took us on a journey of Afro-Latinx cultural memory; and Melvis Santa, Grammy-nominated artist, who lifted us with Afro-Cuban jazz brilliance.

DJ Agent DMZ closed the night with a high-energy set that transformed the boardwalk into a dance floor powered by diasporic beats and community rhythm. It was the perfect way to celebrate and close a day of joy, liberation, and oceanic memory.

Live painting by Quiana Lewis, herbal healing with Jawhara and Terri, seed swapping from Nos Cuidamos Community Garden, and beautiful work from Afrotika Arts made our vendor village an immersive cultural and ecological experience.

Thank you for showing up and bringing your brilliance, spirit, and solidarity.

A Huge Thank You to Our Funders

New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). Howard Gilman Foundation via Flushing Town Hall. Materials for the Arts. NEFOC Mutual Roots Fund. New Music USA's Organization Fund in 2025-26. Cultural Development Fund Grant from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).

Photos below by LUMO Studio and Vince Fletcher.