My First AFRAM Experience: Black Culture Celebration

This weekend was my first time attending AFRAM, and as soon as I set foot on the grounds, I was abuzz with energy. The music, the food, the dress, the atmosphere—everything combined in one powerful celebration of Black culture. Being up on stage with my camera, feeling the joy and unity of the people, one question continuously rang through my head: What does Black culture mean to you?

AFRAM, Baltimore’s yearly African American festival, is more than a summer festival—it’s a site of Black identity expressed in all its forms. From the closely braided hairstyles to the multiple heritages and assertive personalities, Black culture pervades in ways too numerous to enumerate. It’s something you hear in the music, you taste in the food, and feel in the manner in which people adore one another.

Even in the middle of the day, there was a sense of warmth—no, not just from the sun, but from the people. I saw how all of them—from the DJs to the performers to the families in the crowd—were welcoming, inclusive, and proud. There was laughter, dancing, and a sense of safety that may not always be found at large gatherings. But AFRAM was different. It was home.

As a photographer, I was lucky enough to snap some of those raw, joyful moments. To see people smile, dance, and just be—free, unencumbered, and themselves—reminded me how amazing it is that we all come together harmoniously. It wasn’t simply a party; it was a reminder that Black culture exists, is thriving, and is worth celebrating out loud.

AFRAM exposed me to a new sight, not just as an artist, but as a young Black man who can witness the beauty of his people in plain sight. This was a book experience and one that will not be forgotten. I am already anticipating returning and doing it more, not to celebrate, but to document these experiences and keep the joy of Black culture in my camera eye.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what culture is—something you live, something you share, and something you pass along.

Rasheed Soumas is a student leader at Morgan State University, majoring in Multiplatform Production. He is a proud member of the NAACP, Bear TV, and other student organizations that empower youth and elevate Black voices through creative media.