The 2022 Akron African American Festival

 

Yes, The 42nd Annual Akron African American Cultural Festival will be happening July 23rd & 24th downtown Akron Ohio at the Loc 3 Amphitheater. Professor Debra Calhoun stopped by to reaffirm that it's going down this weekend. Check out the videos below for more information.

-Hiram Akeem

Check out these quick videos

The All White Cancer Party

 Anytime you notice that Xclusive Entertainment name is connected to anything, you might want to check it out. Recently, we were invited out to 2208 E Market St. (The Event Center) to cover the birthday party for Xclusive Entertainment's & entrepreneur Levi Johnson. In-short, the event was elegant, classy and fun. Check out the event in the video below. Until next time, have some fun and get something done.

-Hiram Akeem

50 Arrested In Akron Ohio Protest

 About 50 people were arrested Monday during protests after authorities released body-camera footage of a Black man’s fatal shooting, police said.The charges include rioting, failure to disperse and misconduct during an emergency, according to a report from Lt. Michael Miller, a spokesman for the Akron Police Department.Police issued a curfew shortly after midnight, and dozens of people remained downtown, the report said.Akron police release video of officers shooting Black man dozens of times.

The department said a group of “violent” protesters damaged businesses, restaurants and residential structures in the area. Several small fires were also set during the night.“Officers deployed a chemical irritant to prevent further rioting and property damage,” the report said. Mayor Daniel Horrigan (D) declared a state of emergency Monday morning.Horrigan’s executive order said, “There is credible cause to believe that further threats of violence and unrest exist.”The city has seen days of protests in response to the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker on June 27.

Eight Akron police officers fired dozens of rounds, killing Jayland Walker, 25, after a chase that began as a stop for traffic and equipment violations, police said.The department released body-camera footage from all the officers involved in the shooting — the eight who fired and five “witness officers,” who did not. The videos show the car chase, during which police said Walker fired a gun, and they end in officers shooting him dozens of times in a parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The city ordered a curfew scheduled to start at 9 p.m. and continue overnight to 6 a.m., until further notice. It also canceled a scheduled July Fourth fireworks event. Horrigan’s statement said there had been “significant property damage” to downtown Akron.Small businesses up and down Main St. have had their windows broken,” his statement said. “We cannot and will not tolerate the destruction of property or violence.”The killing has caused outrage in the city, with many residents demanding change and accountability alongside the Walker family.

City officials and attorneys for the Walkers said the family have called for peace in the community. After a Black man is killed by police, a city cancels its July Fourth celebration“If you can do anything for the family, please give peace, give dignity and give justice a chance for Jayland,” attorney Bobby DiCello said during a news conference Sunday.Protests earlier in the day were largely peaceful. Horrigan had already canceled the city’s July Fourth celebration, the Rib, White, & Blue Festival, which was scheduled from Friday to Monday, after the shooting last week, saying in a statement at the time that “this is not the time for a city-led celebration.”

washington post

City Of Akron Cancels Rib, White, & Blue Festival

Akron, Ohio, June 30, 2022 — The City of Akron has announced that the Rib, White, & Blue Festival originally scheduled for July 1-4, 2022 has been cancelled. All vendors and musical acts will be notified and compensated accordingly.

Lock 3 will have no activities for the holiday weekend and the City encourages residents and guests to find other opportunities for their weekend plans.

“I completely understand that some residents and guests will be disappointed by the decision to cancel the festival this holiday weekend. Independence Day is meant to be a celebration and a time of gathering with friends and family. Unfortunately, I feel strongly that this is not the time for a city-led celebration.” – Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan

All municipal offices will be closed on Monday, July 4.