Looking for the ultimate spot to sit back, socialize, and take in the festival energy? Drop by the Sankofa Spirits Lounge, open exclusively on Day 1 & Day 2 (August 21 & 22)!

Sip on signature handcrafted cocktails available for purchase, featuring premium spirits from Moët Hennessy and authentic Jamaican rum from Wray & Nephew and Appleton Estate—perfectly paired with refreshing mixers courtesy of Grace Foods. Whether you're resting your feet after the fashion shows or catching a vibe during Saturday's Block Party, the Lounge is your go-to open-air sanctuary in the heart of the Square.

Must be 19+ to enter. Valid government-issued photo I.D. required.

Fashion & Beauty Brand - Dare Be Different. @taf___dzwa

RawPearlz is a one-of-a-kind handmade Afrocentric fashion line. @rawpearlz

@sinsea.bysin

Fashion designer. 🇧🇫🇺🇲🇨🇦🇳🇬. @black_urban_chic

Published designer, simple to lux fashions. Inspired by the Motherland. Made 4d.🌍 @nuyubystacy

Back to the fashion fantasy. 🥀 @rice_apparel

High quality lifestyle brand with a purpose. @ambition_branded

Métissage Through Fashion. Heritage Meets Modern Elegance. Crafted in Africa. Designed for the World. @divinesdesign

Luxury African inspired brand for the sophisticated woman. @africanaluxury

Looking for the ultimate spot to sit back, socialize, and take in the festival energy? Drop by the Sankofa Spirits Lounge, open exclusively on Day 1 & Day 2 (August 21 & 22)!

Sip on signature handcrafted cocktails available for purchase, featuring premium spirits from Moët Hennessy and authentic Jamaican rum from Wray & Nephew and Appleton Estate—perfectly paired with refreshing mixers courtesy of Grace Foods. Whether you're resting your feet after the fashion shows or catching a vibe during Saturday's Block Party, the Lounge is your go-to open-air sanctuary in the heart of the Square.

Must be 19+ to enter. Valid government-issued photo I.D. required.

DJ LX is an open-format DJ based in Toronto, bringing together the best sounds across Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, Latin, and everything in between. @djlxofficial

Steady is a premier Toronto-based event collective and party series known for curating vibrant day parties, boat cruises, and nightlife experiences featuring top-tier local and international DJ talent. @steady.to

Afrikanah started as an idea between Summer Knocks and DJ Revy B, built from the feeling of wanting a space where African sounds, Toronto energy, and real community could all live in the same room.

The name itself speaks to identity. Afrikanah blends African, Canadian, and North American influence into one feeling, representing the way culture travels, changes, and still stays rooted. @sooafrikanah

Noisey Nadwa is a bold and energetic DJ who blends heavy basslines, global club rhythms, and infectious high-energy anthems. Known for packing dancefloors and commanding the crowd, this rising selector delivers unforgettable sets that mix underground edge with pure festival power. @noiseynadwa

Mýa headlines SankofaFest on Saturday, August 22, bringing one of R&B's most celebrated voices to downtown Toronto for a free, all-ages concert.

R&B icon Mýa anchors Saturday night's free concert experience with a performance supported by Wray & Nephew. Fans can expect more than two decades of chart-topping hits, including Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do), Best of Me, My Love Is Like...Wo, and the Grammy Award-winning global smash Lady Marmalade.

Since her self-titled debut album in 1998, Mýa has sold millions of records worldwide while building a career spanning music, film, television and philanthropy. A Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist, she continues to influence contemporary R&B through a career defined by artistic evolution, independence and enduring cultural impact. @myaplanet9

Deh’ya is a creative event and media platform exploring Caribbean culture through the lens of second-generation immigrants of the West Indies. We aim to create a space for Caribbean-Canadians, and all those who have been influenced by our roots, to celebrate our culture through sound, movement, art and fashion. Our priority is to strengthen the connection between the Caribbean and its Diaspora.

We focus on event curation, community media, radio, as well as production and creative direction through brand partnerships and collaborations. @wi.deh.ya

Tash Simone is a Toronto and NYC-based recording artist, songwriter, producer, DJ and host building a cross-border career at the intersection of music, media and live entertainment.

Beginning her journey as a DJ at just eight years old and writing and producing music by the age of eleven, Tash has spent her life immersed in music. Blending R&B, hip hop, dancehall and Caribbean influences, her work reflects both her versatility as an artist and her passion for storytelling.

Beyond the stage, Tash has built a career spanning broadcasting, creative production, live hosting and artist development. Whether performing, producing, interviewing artists or creating experiences that connect people through music, she continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a modern independent creative.

For Tash, music has always been about more than entertainment. It's about creating moments that bring people together, inspire connection and leave a lasting impact. @tashsimoneofficial

As part of the celebration, HOOPQUEENS is hosting Jr. HOOPQUEENS Clinics, giving young athletes the chance to learn, play, and be inspired through the game.

Event details below — everyone is welcome, and we’re looking forward to seeing you there!

CLINIC DETAILS
REGISTER IN ADVANCE
Time: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sessions Schedule:

• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Group A - Ages 4 - 6 and Group B - Ages 7 - 10

• 2:15pm - 3:15 pm: Group C - Ages 11 - 14 and Older

• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Interactive Family Relay

• 4:45pm - 5:45pm: 3Point Contest

Any questions please contact: programming@thehoopqueens.com or operations@thehoopqueens.com

HOOPQUEENS’ mission is clear: to set a new standard for women’s basketball in Canada. As the creators of Canada’s first paid women’s basketball league, we’re dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for women and girls through the power of the game. @hoopqueensto

UrbanArts is a community arts organization rooted in York South–Weston within the City of Toronto. For over 37 years, we’ve connected youth, artists, and residents through accessible, inclusive arts programming that reflects the diversity of our neighbourhoods.

We believe that art can strengthen identity, inspire growth, and transform public spaces into platforms for connection and culture. @urbanartsto

The Learn Life Workshop with Killa Kels is a hands-on DJ and music mentoring session led by the renowned Toronto open-format DJ and community mentor. These interactive workshops teach beginner DJ fundamentals, share industry insights, and support creative youth empowerment. @killaxkels

Black Canadian Women in Music (BCWM) is a Toronto-based community initiative and networking group that connects Black women and gender-diverse individuals working behind the scenes in the Canadian music industry. Co-founded by Jahlyssa Walker, Jennifer M. Joseph, and Shaneka Warren.

DJ Sho B
DJ Sho B (also known as Sho Banks) is an official City of Toronto community DJ and international selector renowned for multi-genre club sets spanning R&B, hip-hop, reggae, soca, and Afrobeats. @theshobanks

XO.GEM
xo.gem is an emerging R&B and soul singer-songwriter based in Toronto. Known for emotional storytelling, she draws real-world songwriting inspiration from the highs and lows of the local dating scene. @xo.gemm

Annicia
ANNICIA (born Annicia Spence) is a rising hip-hop artist and female MC from the west end of Toronto, Ontario. Known for her raw and refreshing sound, she transitioned from writing poetry in her teens to recording her first official track in 2019, following an early childhood background in global dance and performance starting at age 5. @an.nicia

DVBLM
DVBLM (pronounced "Double M") is a rising Toronto-based hip-hop artist and rapper known for her energetic, genre-blurring sound that blends rap, R&B, and dancehall influences rooted in her Caribbean upbringing. She won a 2023 SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Award and released her debut EP, Customer Service, in 2024. @dvbl_m

Host: Glossy
Glossy is a Toronto-based creative, host, and music scene participant who fronted projects like the conceptual release Contradictions—an album described as arguing with itself and winning. @theycallherglossy

SOCAN is Canada’s largest member-based rights management organization. We connect more than 4 million creators and publishers worldwide, ensuring they are paid for their work – the music we all enjoy.

ALEXIE
Alexie is a Jamaican-Canadian R&B and soul artist based in Toronto. Her music blends smooth, sensual vocals with 2000s nostalgia, Caribbean rhythms, and island-tinged grooves. @alwaysalexie

BOLU AJIBADE
Bolu Ajibade is a prominent Nigerian-Canadian Afrobeats singer and songwriter known for his romantic, fluid, and infectious "Afro-fusion" sound. As a central figure in the "Afrobeats-in-Canada" movement, Ajibade has built a reputation for creating uplifted, love-centered music designed to bring joy and rhythm to his listeners. He has achieved over one million global streams across major music platforms. @officialboluaji

JOE GEZ
Joe Gez is a Canadian-based Afrobeats francophone singer-songwriter and producer hailing from Kinshasa, Republic Democratic of Congo. He first burst onto the music scene in 2020 with the release of his debut single "Life is Good", which quickly gained popularity and established him as a rising star in the Afrobeats industry. Since then, Joe has continued to captivate audiences with his energetic and infectious performances, as well as his passion and inspirational outpouring as an artist. @joegez7

TAENE
Taene is a Toronto-based Nigerian Afro-fusion artist blending Afrobeats, R&B, and contemporary African sounds into music that moves, connects, and tells a story. @sheistaene

Cultural Presentation by the Ghana Toronto Morale Group drumming presentation. @ghanatorontomorale

Presented by the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario. gcaocanada.org

Caribbean Film Festivalis a world-class destination film festival and the central hub for Caribbean cinema. We bring islands together under a shared love for storytelling and a collective vision to revive the Caribbean film industry. @caribbeanfilmfest

FILM LINEUP

1. Love Jumbie (4 min)

2. God Sleeps on Sundays (17 min)
   
   A former preacher confronts a local spiritual healer, sparking tensions between modern religious institutions and indigenous practices in a story examining faith, cultural identity, and the collision of belief systems.
   
   Directed and written by Naishe Nyamubaya. Staring Tendaiishe Chitima, Wizzy Mangoma, and Leroy Siyafa.
   
   

3. Memory of Princess Mumbi (79 min)
   
   In 2093, filmmaker Kuve visits Umata to document life after a war banned modern tech. Local filmmaker Mumbi challenges him to create without AI, leading him to discover beauty in life's simple moments.
   
   Directed and written by Damien Hauser. Staring Shandra Apondi, Abraham Joseph, and Ibrahim Joseph.