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/ what's ibukun festival?
IBUKUN Hip-Hop Arts and Culture Festival is a one-of-a-kind cultural celebration that brings together music, conversation, fashion, art, and community under one roof. Taking place Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, this immersive, all-day experience is designed to honor Black expression and creative excellence across generations—celebrating the power and impact of hip hop art and culture.
/ who all gon' be there?
/ what can I expect?
STARVING ARTIST
BLACK ART GALLERY
Immerse yourself in an expressive gallery featuring powerful works by emerging and established Black visual artists. From bold canvases to multimedia installations, the gallery is a visual journey through identity, resistance, spirituality, and joy — curated to reflect the heartbeat of Black culture.
MARKETPLACE &
FASHION SHOWCASE
Support local creatives in our vibrant marketplace featuring artisan goods, small business vendors, and a showroom of emerging Black fashion designers. Style, entrepreneurship, and innovation intersect in this interactive space.
RHYME & REASON WELLNESS SESSIONS
We know that life is lifing so we're offering 15-minute one-on-one wellness checks that blend the power of hip hop with the clarity of therapy. Led by culturally competent licensed therapists, these brief but impactful sessions offer attendees a space to reflect, reset, and recognize the logic (reason) behind the rhyme—showing how hip hop can be both a creative outlet and a therapeutic tool.
ENGAGING PANEL DISCUSSION
Moderated by Relationship Expert, Love McPherson, the panel will explore art, healing, and identity featuring:
○ Dr. Pamela Blackman, CEO, BBF Center for the Arts
○ Ta’Rhonda Jones, acclaimed actress and musician
○ Dr. Obari Cartman, psychologist, author, and cultural thought leader.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
ALL DAY
Enjoy sounds from some of Chicago’s top talent, including Asha Omega, IAMGAWD, J Bambii, Philmore Greene, and headliner Grammy-Award winning artist, Rapsody, one of today’s most respected voices in hip hop.
SPECIAL GUEST HOSTS
National actor Wood Harris and actress Cynthia Kaye McWilliams will serve as charismatic emcees throughout the program, engaging audiences and keeping the energy high.
LEGACY
TRIBUTE
The prestigious Dr. Christian Adeyemi Akiwowo Legacy Award, named for the founder of IBUKUN, will be presented to Dr. Obari Cartman for his deep-rooted contributions to community wellness, art, and transformation.
