Afropunk Is the Safe Place Black People Need
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
The Afropunk festival is a tapestry of indulgences. There are food trucks serving up mac ‘n’ cheese, rice with curry, and empanadas; a marketplace offering free hair braiding; handwoven bags and scarves for sale. Then there’s the music — this year SZA, Sampha, Solange, and Anderson .Paak were among the 44 live acts.
But Afropunk offers more than entertainment, food, and seriously stylish attendees. It offers a much-needed sense of community and joy. When the Cut asked festivalgoers to describe the two-day gathering, many simply said “It’s a safe space.” Click the slideshow below to hear more from the fashion-forward crowd.
Watson Mere
“It’s beautiful. People of all colors come together in a peaceful way. There’s no negative or aggressive energy.”
Photo: Brad Og...
Watson Mere
“It’s beautiful. People of all colors come together in a peaceful way. There’s no negative or aggressive energy.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Khpr Ka M Hru
“A gathering of beautiful, unique, and eccentric individuals, who come together and share their gifts and beauty.”
Photo: Brad ...
Khpr Ka M Hru
“A gathering of beautiful, unique, and eccentric individuals, who come together and share their gifts and beauty.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Alexia Gradford “A coming together of cultures. An explosion of art and music and fashion. It feels like a space where people can just be themsel...
Alexia Gradford “A coming together of cultures. An explosion of art and music and fashion. It feels like a space where people can just be themselves.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Iyana Banks “A collective of beautiful like-minded individuals, people of color who get together and make magic.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Edi...
Iyana Banks “A collective of beautiful like-minded individuals, people of color who get together and make magic.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Dre Ngozi “A space where people of the African diaspora can come and out express themselves, be free, celebrate themselves and each other.”
Phot...
Dre Ngozi “A space where people of the African diaspora can come and out express themselves, be free, celebrate themselves and each other.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Karmel Sheridan, Sarah Sheridan
“It’s a group of black people who are woke and know themselves and they come together to have a great time and ...
Karmel Sheridan, Sarah Sheridan
“It’s a group of black people who are woke and know themselves and they come together to have a great time and to listen to music.” - Karmel
“It’s freedom, love, equality. It’s a place where people can be themselves and grow.” - Sarah
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Margeaux Simms “It’s being proud of your blackness, your beauty, and your inner self.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Erin Mclin “It’s where the African-American community can get together and feel pride and love -- not only in music, but also in fashion. It’s an...
Erin Mclin “It’s where the African-American community can get together and feel pride and love -- not only in music, but also in fashion. It’s an energy you feel, coming to Afropunk. And you leave feeling like you’ve never felt before.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Jojo, Nicholas, Jorel, Iboc, Rahkai, Malik, Justin "A good time!" Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Obye Baryard “It’s a combination of the minority voice in America. It’s the only time we can be in a really positive environment and express our ...
Obye Baryard “It’s a combination of the minority voice in America. It’s the only time we can be in a really positive environment and express our views on fashion, and be appreciated for it. It’s a time to be celebrated and be proud of who we are.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Larry Belcher Jr. “It’s very Afrocentric and free.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Kenni Javen “It’s inspirational, especially for people of color.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Nahema Marchal “It’s a beautiful celebration of black art, beauty, and diversity.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Tania Fines “It’s amazing. It’s like Wakanda!" Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Lee Piotrowski “A safe space where ethnic people can come to express themselves and look amazing.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Quin “It’s oneness, happiness, and confidence. It’s joy and congregation and lovely people, and good people with good taste who are here to suppo...
Quin “It’s oneness, happiness, and confidence. It’s joy and congregation and lovely people, and good people with good taste who are here to support each other.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Ufuoma Ovienmhada “It’s a celebration of everything America has tried to stop for the past 200 years.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel P...
Ufuoma Ovienmhada “It’s a celebration of everything America has tried to stop for the past 200 years.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Alem Worldwide (Sahara Ali) “The culmination of two sides of history and nature as artist that we don’t really get to express within the same spa...
Alem Worldwide (Sahara Ali) “The culmination of two sides of history and nature as artist that we don’t really get to express within the same space. Either we’re too hardcore or we’re too earthy. Here we can be whatever the fuck we what, and I love it.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Ameryahs Misfit “It’s a safe space in a world where black bodies are meant to feel disconnected.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parkle...
Ameryahs Misfit “It’s a safe space in a world where black bodies are meant to feel disconnected.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Reign Apiim “It’s everything. It’s a safe space to be yourself. Whoever you are, whatever you like, whatever you do -- it’s a place to be exactly...
Reign Apiim “It’s everything. It’s a safe space to be yourself. Whoever you are, whatever you like, whatever you do -- it’s a place to be exactly who you are.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Delaney Carter “It’s just great.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Shay Marzelli “It’s an event full of original African-Americans who are stylish and unique. Everyone should experience it at least once.”
Photo:...
Shay Marzelli “It’s an event full of original African-Americans who are stylish and unique. Everyone should experience it at least once.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Muyideen Abasi “It’s an eclectic collective.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Erin Mitchell “It’s being who you are and being happy with what you do.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
DeRay Mckesson “Black and true to who you are.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Andra Brown “An event full of beautiful-ass black people. It’s a space that’s very rare, where black people can feel free to be themselves.”
Pho...
Andra Brown “An event full of beautiful-ass black people. It’s a space that’s very rare, where black people can feel free to be themselves.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Joi Broughton “Where everyone is mad happy, and happy to be black. We get to see amazing performers from all over the world, as well as cool fash...
Joi Broughton “Where everyone is mad happy, and happy to be black. We get to see amazing performers from all over the world, as well as cool fashion kids. Everyone is super stylish and comfortable here.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Chanae Jones “It’s everything.”
Lucy Scott “It’s a creative subculture of many different minorities. It’s where we all get to come together and express that.”
Photo: Brad Ogbon...
Lucy Scott “It’s a creative subculture of many different minorities. It’s where we all get to come together and express that.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Nzingha Jones “It’s being black as fuck and not giving a fuck. It’s being true to yourself, fearlessly.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel...
Nzingha Jones “It’s being black as fuck and not giving a fuck. It’s being true to yourself, fearlessly.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Charles L. Wright “It’s the human race coming together.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
Jojo Abot “Rebellion, liberation, community.”
Photo: Brad Ogbonna. Photo Editor: Biel Parklee.
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