From it's beginning in July 1989, this festival celebrates the rich heritage of people of African ancestry and their contributions to the community, the nation and the world. Inspired by the 1988 Fredericksburg Black Arts Festival, the 1984 & 1985 Sol Fest and previous festivals, Chihamba recruited a committee under the direction of Jamal Koram, an original Sol Fest founder. This committee brought the dream that was the African-American Cultural Arts Festival to reality.

The Annual African American Cultural Arts Festival is held the last Saturday of every July in Booker T. Washington Park (rain or shine- under tents). This family-oriented festival opens with a grand entrance by the Spiritwalker, dancers, drums and many other exciting performers. A wide variety of crafts, foods, community organizations and artisans will be found throughout the park. Visitors can listen to the traditional African storyteller, watch musical and dance performances and discover more about local and national African American history and the contributions of African Americans to our community.