Harambee 35 Save the Dates

Dear Sponsors and Supporters of the 35th Anniversary of the Harambee Festival:

On April 19-21, 2024, the iconic Benedict College Harambee Festival will be held in the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium as the College proudly continues the legacy of the Festival which has been a thirty-four-year signature event in Columbia, South Carolina, and wider communities. It has sustained its existence through interpretation of history, presentations through the arts, culture, and humanities, with outstanding stage performances, a Children’s Learning Village, a Women’s and Men’s Village, free health screenings, continuous stage performances, merchandise vendors, and the best food found anywhere.

The Festival provides learning experiences for children and college students, public service information to improve the lives of attendees, and opportunities for organizations to merchandise their products before thousands of consumers. It also allows Benedict College to continue its commitment to improve the economic, social, and cultural conditions in our community, including the positive impact that the Festival has on the local economy.

In order to sustain and expand this worthwhile cause, I am appealing to you for financial support. Specifically, there is a need to significantly increase medical screenings, improve the learning and social skills of the youth and college students by incorporating more outstanding exhibits, displays, and more positive presenters, role models, and performers who have influence in the lives of thousands of attendees. Please take advantage of this opportunity for your organization not only to support a positive, value-added Festival to our community but also provides your organization opportunities to showcase and introduce your products and services to a diverse market.

I respectfully request that your organization take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor the Harambee Festival. The Festival provides organizations visibility and unlimited access to thousands of festival participants and customers, a complimentary marketing vendor’s space, and a complimentary electronic ad that will be shown constantly at the Festival and will remain on the Festival’s website for one year. Other benefits are available commensurate with your sponsorship level. Importantly, your contribution will also help to support many deserving students through the Harambee Festival Endowed Scholarship.

Thank you for your support of a sponsorship level. Please submit to the:

Benedict College Harambe Festival
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204

Please feel free to call me at 803.705.4417 or at george.devlin@benedict.edu if you have any questions.
Thank you very much for your support.

Sincerely,
George A. Devlin
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Chair, Harambee Festival Committee

CONFIRM YOUR SPONSORSHIP LEVEL 

GOLD SPONSOR – $25,000

  • Naming Rights for the Harambee Festival Stage 
  • Public acknowledgment as a Gold Sponsor
  • Complimentary vending space
  • Complimentary electronic ad displayed on the Harambee Festival electronic view boards and on the Harambee Festival website for one year
  • Speaking opportunity at the festival
  • VIP Recognition at the Harambee Festival 

 LEGACY SPONSOR – $15,000 

  • Naming Rights for the Harambee Festival Children’s Education Village 
  • Complimentary vending space
  • Complimentary electronic ad displayed on the Harambee Festival electronic view   boards and on the Harambee Festival website for one year
  • VIP Recognition at the Harambee Festival 

DISTINGUISHED SPONSOR- $10,000 

  • Naming Rights for the Harambee Festival Youth Zone 
  • Complimentary vending space 
  • Complimentary electronic ad displayed on the Harambee Festival electronic view   boards and on the Harambee Festival website for one year
  • VIP Recognition at the Harambee Festival 

 CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR – $ 5,000 

  • Complimentary vending space 
  • Complimentary electronic ad displayed on the Harambee Festival electronic view boards and on the Harambee Festival website for one year
  • VIP Recognition at the Harambee Festival 

HARAMBEE FESTIVAL DONORSLess than $5,000 

  • Harambee Festival donors at any level below $5,000 will be listed as such on the Harambee Festival Electronic View Boards and on the Harambee Festival website for one year

Friday, April 19

HBCU Talent Search stage, Bounce Houses for the children, merchandise and food vendors, performers, displays, dancing, and much more fun and games!!

6:00 p – 11:00 p

|      Charlie W. Johnson Stadium

Saturday, April 20

Harambee begins with the most fantastic opening ceremony in the history of the Harambee Festival. All day stage performances along with merchandise and food trucks and Children’s Village.

9:30 a – 6:00 p

|      Charlie W. Johnson Stadium

Festival Maps

Registrations and Donations

Harambee FAQs

Outstanding opening ceremony, African drumming, dancers, day-long stage performances, headliner R&B and gospel performers, local performing talent, DJs, Winner of the Talent Search, Benedict College Gospel Choir, the 2022 Macy’s Parade participating Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction, International Performers, unique African American merchandise, art, and cultural items, A Taste of Harambee Food Vendors, Bounce Houses, Children’s Village, Women’s Village, FREE Health Screening Village, First Responders, Classic Car and Bike Show, a gallery of flags and banners, art exhibits, Benedict College Village of Excellence exhibits and displays, outstanding African American and Southern History displays, bake contest, Empowerment Workshops, game trucks, athletic activities, and so much more.

Refunds minus a $50.00 administrative fee will be processed until April 5, 2024. No refunds will be made after that date for any reason, including but not limited to weather, or any other circumstances.

The College will provide routine security services for the Harambee Festival but assumes no liability for any lost, damaged, or stolen merchandise.

By submitting an application to participate in the Harambee Festival as a vendor or in any category, I represent and warrant that I will not sell nor allow anyone working with me to sell merchandise which may violate applicable copyright and/or trademark laws.

In the event it is discovered that I am selling or offering to sell merchandise, which violates applicable copyright and/or trademark laws, I understand That I will cease and desist and stop selling any further merchandise at the Harambee Festival*.

*(The full Representation and Warranty statement is provided to each vendor.  Vendor participation in this festival indicates a willingness by vendors and all participants to adhere to all aspects of the statement.)

Registration will remain open until all categories of participation are full, however, all merchandise, village, food vendors, nonprofit exhibitors, and bake contestants are encouraged to register immediately to provide time for the Committee to finalize processing and preparation.

For more information, please call 803. 705.4409, 803.705.4789, or 803.705.4679. you may also click https://benedict.edu/harambee-festival/

Merchandise vendors purchase a 12×12 space with a 6 ft. table provided. Vendors are expected to provide their own tents, generators, and racks. Merchandise vendors may access wi-fi, but NO ELECTRICAL ACCESS IS AVAILABLE.

$200/space includes both days.

Food and Food Truck vendors are expected to provide their own tables, tents, generators, and racks. Merchandise vendors may access wi-fi, but NO ELECTRICAL ACCESS IS AVAILABLE.

$300/space includes both days.

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Charlie W. Johnson Stadium | 1920 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29204

Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO

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