Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Columbus African Festival in support of the festival they hosted on July 18-19, 2026.
The United African Festival (UAF) is a citywide community engagement initiative that strengthens neighborhood connections, promotes civic participation, and fosters cross-cultural understanding through the celebration of African cultures. The 2026 festival represented a historic collaboration of ten African cultural festivals and community organizations coming together under one unified platform to celebrate diversity, strengthen community partnerships, and maximize collective impact. Scheduled for July 18-19, 2026 at Genoa Park, the festival brought together residents for cultural experiences, youth and family programming, a Community Resource and Civic Engagement Fair, health and wellness activities, entrepreneurship showcases, and arts performances. More than a cultural event, UAF serves as a platform to connect residents with community resources, support local businesses, encourage volunteerism, and promote inclusion and belonging.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $6,500.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund, Subfund 100018.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Columbus African Festival in support of the 2026 United African Festival; to authorize an expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund; and to authorize the reimbursement of qualifying expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order. ($6,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus African Festival offers a bold and comprehensive approach to cultural re-conversion and reconstruction within the African Diaspora in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus African Festival as a theoretical and conceptual framework seeks to take a Renaissance approach to art and various forms of artistic expression; and
WHEREAS, festivals are not only for entertainment but are the artistic manifestation of a people’s values, collective personality, cultural creativity, and ultimately, their aspiration and vision of a higher level of life; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 festival brought together residents for cultural experiences, youth and family programming, a Community Resource and Civic Engagement Fair, health and wellness activities, entrepreneurship showcases, and arts performances; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to enter a grant agreement with Columbus African Festival in support of their 2026 festival, hosted in July of this year, and that the City Clerk is authorized to reimburse qualifying expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $6,500.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all grant agreements or modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.