Broccoli City Festival Expands, Adds BLK Change Weekend May 5-8 In Washington, D.C.

After taking a year off thanks to coronavirus, the taste-making, hip-oriented event expands to two days and will feature performances from C native Ari Lennox, Summer Walker, Jeezy, Wale,  21 Savage, Larry June and more. 

Hosted by Gia Peppers, Rodney Rikai and Little Bacon Bear, BC Fest will once again include one-of-a-kind activations, a local marketplace and surprise performances on the grounds of RFK Stadium. Tickets are available now at the Broccoli City Festival website.  

Inspired by the documentary “Wattstax,”  BLK Change Weekend was created to mobilize young people, companies, and community organizations to work collaboratively to create a more racially equitable world for Black millennials and Gen Z’ers. 

Broccoli City is a Black-owned social enterprise rooted in impact and entertainment that focuses on people and progress, and that’s reflected in the range of programming across the weekend. 

Beyond the music lineup, the weekend will feature a series of community impact volunteer activities promoting community health and forums highlighting job/internship opportunities, health and wellness tools, financial support for small businesses, and criminal and environmental justice issues. 

Volunteers will have the opportunity to earn tickets for their service. Additional BLK Change Weekend events include Broccoli CON & Career Expo, BC 5k & Fitness and BC All Night.

“This year’s festival will be historic for many reasons,” said Brandon McEachern, co-founder of BC Fest. “Not only does BC Fest 22 represent a moment for celebration and reflection on all we’ve been through the past few years; it will anchor BLK Change Weekend, which is poised to be one of the biggest calls to actions for our generation in the world. We’re bringing together community and business leaders to celebrate our culture and work together to provide Black communities, students and young professionals with equitable resources and opportunities.”

“We are really excited to bring Broccoli City Festival back after a long 2-year hiatus,” said Shawn Gee, president of Live Nation Urban. “This brand is important, as it’s much bigger than just the announced artist lineup. The mobilization of Black people and corporations that are active in the community, the education, conversation, and connections that happen at Broccoli Con, and the overall celebration of black culture that happens throughout the weekend are the core tenants upon which we are building.”

Attendees can look forward to seamless entry, multiple stages of non-stop music, the best local food trucks, live art installations, interactive sponsor activations, and a marketplace village featuring Black-owned businesses. Beverages, including craft cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks will be served at bars throughout the festival grounds and in the VIP areas.