Community News
Music festival and movement powered by the people
BY SELINA McCALLUM
Thirteen years ago the founder of Manifesto sat with artists, activists and organizers in Committee Room 1 in City Hall and asked three questions; What are the barriers that you’re facing? How are we going to overcome those barriers? What are the next steps to unify as a city?
That was the day Manifesto was born.
Che Kothari is the founder of Manifesto which creates spaces, both physical and digital, that inspire, develop, and amplify diverse communities of young people through arts, culture and media.
“The real vision of Manifesto is to be a leading youth, arts and culture movement in the world,” said Kothari. “Empowering young people, giving them the tools of knowledge of self, helping them look within to find out who they are individually, how does that fit into a community and then share and express their stories.”
Kothari talks about Kiana ‘Rookz’ Eastmond being hired as this year’s Executive Director of Manifesto, making her the youngest black female to hold the position.
“It’s incredible! For me that was always the vision and the dream. I’ve actually even wanted someone younger. I have a model that I developed, that as a mentor you will always have a mentee. That way they are empowering each other with knowledge of the history and knowledge of the future,” said Kothari. “It’s a continuum of culture that’s happening in one space. That’s what it’s supposed to be. We’re supposed to pass this on.”
Manifesto had their annual four-day festival from Thursday, August 15th to Sunday, August 18th.
Eastmond was only hired eight months ago and put together the entire festival with her team in the last six months.
She is also a music manager and founder of her own studio, Sandbox Studios in Toronto.
After the concerts were done on Saturday, Eastmond shared her experience of her first Manifesto as Executive Director with us.
“I’m feeling really encouraged that the city showed up today. I really want to speak to the power and influence you have when there is a community around you. Too often we try to serve everybody, but you have to serve the community you’re intended to serve.”
Eastmond says that in her new role, she wants to give other black women the opportunity to grow too.
“I was really intentional about hiring black women all throughout, from volunteers to staff to the artist. As a black woman myself, I’ve worked tirelessly to try to make my way in this industry. I know it has been a struggle for me, so I really didn’t want to make it a struggle for people I’ve watched work really hard. It’s about putting in black capable women in that I feel have been overlooked,” said Rooks.
The founder of Manifesto is hopeful for the future of Manifesto.
“I’m super proud of what Rookz has been able to pull off in such a short time and I know that the next few years are only going to get better,” said Kothari.
Headlining Saturday’s event was upcoming American singer and songwriter Ari Lennox.
Courtney Shanade Salter, known professionally as Ari Lennox from Washington, D.C. She is the first female to be signed to J. Cole’s record label, Dreamville Records.
The crowd was full of smiling black girls who sang every word along with Lennox. She sang songs from her EP, Pho, released in 2016, and her new album, Shea Butter Baby, which was released on May 7th, 2019.
Lennox represents a new sound and fresh look that has not been seen before in the R&B and Soul industry. Her songs are authentic as she sings about her sex life, heartbreak and moving into a new apartment.
While looking out at the crowd, Lennox said, “I see so many beautiful brown skin girls rocking their natural hair.” In both album covers, Lennox is wearing her nappy, curly hair in a high bun.
This year’s Manifesto saw Director X introduce Operation Prefrontal Cortex, black Toronto artists such as singers and DJs, panel discussions featuring journalists, editors, CEOs, and leaders in various industries and yoga and fitness instructors promoting health and wellness. Manifesto is truly powered by the people.