Events

This year, we had the honor of graduating the fourth cohort of our Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute and the 14th class of our Students for Economic Justice Fellowship.

Over the course of six months, 13 community leaders expanded their skills to serve on commissions and seven students learned and practiced organizing skills in on-the-ground organizing campaigns led by local labor and community partners.

Now it’s time to celebrate these visionary leaders!

We invite you to join us—and City of San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery—to recognize their achievements and celebrate our growing community of leaders and organizers working to create a more equitable San Diego region.

When: Monday January 20th, 2020
Time: 12 pm- 8PM
Where: WorldBeat Cultural Center
2100 Park Blvd.
San Diego CA 92101
www.worldbeatcenter.org | info@worldbeatcenter.org
Cost: FREE

Martin Luther King Jr is one of the most respected African-American leaders in history, this celebration is to honor Martin Luther kIng Jr. Even forty six years after his presence, his messages keep being relevant in the United States of America and all around the world.

Worldbeat Cultural Center, located in Balboa Park, is celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr with a family festival. With live music, dancing, vegan food, an outdoor cultural arts & craft vendors marketplace, and more.

Live performances will include reggae revival artist Hempress Sativa, Caribbean artist Rob Symeonn, San Diego’s Maka Roots and with a Mexican influence SGT Remo.

Celebration also features multi-cultural performances and blessings. Including Native American Blessing, Danza Azteca, West African Dance, Afro-Cuban Percussion and Dance. There are also, Middle Eastern Belly Dance, Hip Hop Performance By Junkyard Dance Crew and more!

Join us as we pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His words and selfless actions continue to be an inspiration and never-ending call-to-action for tolerance and peace with each new generation.

The Human Dignity Award annually honors an individual or group who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and commitment in promoting the value and importance defined by the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We were proud to announce last year’s Human Dignity Award Winner, the San Diego-based Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF). The foundation was founded in 1995 after Tariq Khamisa, a 20-year-old college student, was killed by 14-year-old gang member Tony Hicks. Hicks was tried as an adult for murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

This event will sell out, so reserve your spot early! Visit https://www.ymca.org/get-involved/events/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-award-breakfast to reserve your table(s) online.

Fill out your nomination for the 2020 Human Dignity Award here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020YMCASDMLKHDANominationForm

THE 39th ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO THE REGGAE LEGENDS AT WORLDBEAT CENTER IN SAN DIEGO ON FEBRUARY 15 AND 16 PRESENTS JAMAICAN FAVORITES INCLUDING MYKAL ROSE AND YELLOWMAN, PLUS A VIRGIN ISLANDS EXPLOSION TRIBUTE DAY TO VAUGHN BENJAMIN WITH THE AKAE BEKA BAND, ARMY, AND MORE.

WorldBeat Productions presents the 39th Annual TRIBUTE TO THE REGGAE LEGENDS (In Memory of Vaughn Benjamin) on President’s Day Weekend of Saturday, February 15, 2020 and Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Worldbeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego – Balboa Park. It is an all-ages venue and doors open at 4 p.m. and the music goes to 11:30 p.m. each night.

Tribute to the Reggae Legends Festival aka Bob Fest was founded by WorldBeat Productions 39 years ago. Each year the festival pays respect to all the past and living legends of reggae music.

The 2020 line-up:
Saturday
Mykal Rose (Jamaica)
King Yellowman (Jamaica)
K’Reemah (Jamaica)
The Originators (CA)
Sol Remedy (CA)

Sunday
Akae Beka Band (Virgin Islands)
Army (Virgin Islands)
Reemah (Virgin Islands)
Spiritual (Jamaica)
Ninjah P Soundsystem (Virgin Islands)
Junyah P (Virgin Islands)
Boostive (CA)
Incient Rootsman Nyabinghi (JA/ CA)

Mykal Rose is celebrating his acclaimed new album called ‘Ska Ska Ska.’ For over 25 years, Michael Rose has been recording and performing his brand of militant, hardcore Jamaican music to the delight of reggae fans around the world. As a solo artist, with Black Uhuru, and back as a solo artist, the “Ruff” Rose has achieved great success throughout his career including receiving reggae’s first Grammy award for the album, Anthem. For the first time in his career, reggae legend and Grammy award winner, Mykal Rose, takes on a Ska album as a result of his drive to honor the music he grew up with and bring it back to his island since he feels ska music is worldwide except in his hometown.
Hailing from U.S Virgin Islands and the U.S. are the esteemed Akae Beka Band, who backed the legendary intellectual, lyrically prolific mystic Roots Reggae Chanter Vaughn Benjamin before his passing. These loyal souljahs consist of Edmund – Rhythm Guitar/Vocals; Ras L – Bass; Suren – Keys; Peter – Drums; Junyah P – Keys; Ryan – Lead Guitar/ Vocals.
Longtime band members Edmund and Ras L (Ras Elyment Records) have toured and recorded with Vaughn for over a decade. Singer Ryan/ Ishence (Higher Bound Productions) also produced albums with Vaughn for 14 years; Suren has been touring with Akae Beka since 2015 and Peter has been touring since 2018, and his older brother was a drummer for MIDNITE. Producer and singer Junyah P joined the band recently and brings a unique bubble to the keys.
Akae Beka often charted on Billboard and Itunes/Apple Music. Vaughn Benjamin released 73 albums during his lifetime, and reggae lovers worldwide are eagerly anticipating the release of Akae Beka’s unreleased works as he left behind a treasure trove of albums. For more info please go to @theakaebeka on FB and @akae_beka on IG. This evening is a tribute to Vaughn Benjamin.

King Yellowman also has a new album called ‘No More War.’ King Yellowman has gained wide popularity on the dancehall reggae scene in the 1980s with his “slack” lyrics not fit for airplay. His successful singles, including “I’m Getting Married in the Morning,” and “Nobody Move, brought him worldwide acclaim. He has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award, and was awarded the Order of Distinction (officer class) for his contribution to Jamaican Culture and Entertainment in 2018. Yellowman has been touring consistently all over the world; and is particularly thrilled to be touring with his talented daughter and releasing his new. His daughter K’reema is also excited about her father’s latest project. “I am very excited; it’s been a long time coming,” said K’reema. Yellowman’s new single “No More War” which he co-wrote with his daughter Kreema was released earlier this year.

K’Reema (Yellowman’s Daughter)
Singer/songwriter, born and raised in Jamaica, now living in the United States, Kareema Foster, also known as K’reema, is an up and coming musician pursuing her long-lived dream and first love: Music! “My music is a representation of me, infusing both worlds, my reggae and dancehall roots with my pop and R&B influence, creating my sound” says K’Reema. She is following in her father’s footsteps and paving her own way in the music industry with releases like “We Don’t Give A F#%K”. With a large Twitter following, she is garnering attention for herself and setting out to make her own name in reggae, just like dad.

Army (Fritzmaurice Williams) was born and raised on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. He is to be counted among the many conscious singers and players of instruments from St. Croix who are worthy of international recognition. Army’s voice – while influenced by such artists as Nat King Cole, Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor – is unique in all of contemporary reggae with its amazing ability to be both deeply soothing and intensely energizing. With a voice as invigorating and free as the wind, and with word sound utterances that penetrate hearts and minds, Army’s mission is clear. He is firmly committed to using his music as a weapon in the war for spiritual renewal and justice for all peoples.

Reggae artist, Spiritual lives by the principles of integrity and good character and doesn’t imitate. He writes original songs of meaning and depth, and then records them in a studio with “live” musicians, including horn and lead guitar players, percussionists and backing singers. Reggae music hasn’t sounded like this for a generation. His music is from the heart, bearing messages for all nations, From the start, Spiritual’s music sang of hope and uplifted the spirits, which is how he got his name.

Reemah, hailing from the island of St. Croix, is one of the new Roots Revolutionaries in this time and space encouraging all those that listen with an uplifting and spiritual message. Having always been passionate about stimulating the mind and soul through music, Reemah has been planting the seeds of a divine flame, bringing awareness with each social commentary that is seemingly wrapped in a gritty, unapologetic yet sweetly satisfying package.

San Diego is known for cultivating some of the best Reggae to come out of the US and is a desired destination for Reggae lovers everywhere. The Originators have developed a unique style, bring a wide range of Reggae influences to their sound and their set is always dynamic. Their style is traditional Reggae mixed with hints of rocksteady, modern Reggae and a vocal style that is heavily influenced by classic Reggae and the Motown Sound of American R&B.

Other performers include Sol Remedy, Ninjah P Soundsystem (Virgin Islands), and Boostive (CA), Native American Drumming by Tim Red Bird and the Red Warriors, African Drum and Dance and Danza Azteca Blessing.

This two-day festival will offer arts & crafts vendors plus Caribbean vegetarian food in the WorldBeat Center café, plus the new sober curious bar including kombucha on tap.

WorldBeat Productions has been a pioneer in producing roots reggae artists since for many years and recognizes February as Black History Month in the U.S. but in Jamaica, it has been commemorated as ‘Reggae Month’. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, the Jamaican Minister of Culture said, “This Reggae Month is the grand celebration party for the recent inscription of the Reggae Music of Jamaica to the UNESCO list of Intangible treasures for the whole of humanity.”
​​
WorldBeat Cultural Center is located at 2100 Park Boulevard in San Diego, CA 92101

Visit bobfestsandiego.com for more information | info@worldbeatcenter.org

619-230-1190

THE 39th ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO THE REGGAE LEGENDS AT WORLDBEAT CENTER IN SAN DIEGO ON FEBRUARY 15 AND 16 PRESENTS JAMAICAN FAVORITES INCLUDING MYKAL ROSE AND YELLOWMAN, PLUS A VIRGIN ISLANDS EXPLOSION TRIBUTE DAY TO VAUGHN BENJAMIN WITH THE AKAE BEKA BAND, ARMY, AND MORE.

WorldBeat Productions presents the 39th Annual TRIBUTE TO THE REGGAE LEGENDS (In Memory of Vaughn Benjamin) on President’s Day Weekend of Saturday, February 15, 2020 and Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Worldbeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego – Balboa Park. It is an all-ages venue and doors open at 4 p.m. and the music goes to 11:30 p.m. each night.

Tribute to the Reggae Legends Festival aka Bob Fest was founded by WorldBeat Productions 39 years ago. Each year the festival pays respect to all the past and living legends of reggae music.

The 2020 line-up:
Saturday
Mykal Rose (Jamaica)
King Yellowman (Jamaica)
K’Reemah (Jamaica)
The Originators (CA)
Sol Remedy (CA)

Sunday
Akae Beka Band (Virgin Islands)
Army (Virgin Islands)
Reemah (Virgin Islands)
Spiritual (Jamaica)
Ninjah P Soundsystem (Virgin Islands)
Junyah P (Virgin Islands)
Boostive (CA)
Incient Rootsman Nyabinghi (JA/ CA)

Mykal Rose is celebrating his acclaimed new album called ‘Ska Ska Ska.’ For over 25 years, Michael Rose has been recording and performing his brand of militant, hardcore Jamaican music to the delight of reggae fans around the world. As a solo artist, with Black Uhuru, and back as a solo artist, the “Ruff” Rose has achieved great success throughout his career including receiving reggae’s first Grammy award for the album, Anthem. For the first time in his career, reggae legend and Grammy award winner, Mykal Rose, takes on a Ska album as a result of his drive to honor the music he grew up with and bring it back to his island since he feels ska music is worldwide except in his hometown.
Hailing from U.S Virgin Islands and the U.S. are the esteemed Akae Beka Band, who backed the legendary intellectual, lyrically prolific mystic Roots Reggae Chanter Vaughn Benjamin before his passing. These loyal souljahs consist of Edmund – Rhythm Guitar/Vocals; Ras L – Bass; Suren – Keys; Peter – Drums; Junyah P – Keys; Ryan – Lead Guitar/ Vocals.
Longtime band members Edmund and Ras L (Ras Elyment Records) have toured and recorded with Vaughn for over a decade. Singer Ryan/ Ishence (Higher Bound Productions) also produced albums with Vaughn for 14 years; Suren has been touring with Akae Beka since 2015 and Peter has been touring since 2018, and his older brother was a drummer for MIDNITE. Producer and singer Junyah P joined the band recently and brings a unique bubble to the keys.
Akae Beka often charted on Billboard and Itunes/Apple Music. Vaughn Benjamin released 73 albums during his lifetime, and reggae lovers worldwide are eagerly anticipating the release of Akae Beka’s unreleased works as he left behind a treasure trove of albums. For more info please go to @theakaebeka on FB and @akae_beka on IG. This evening is a tribute to Vaughn Benjamin.

King Yellowman also has a new album called ‘No More War.’ King Yellowman has gained wide popularity on the dancehall reggae scene in the 1980s with his “slack” lyrics not fit for airplay. His successful singles, including “I’m Getting Married in the Morning,” and “Nobody Move, brought him worldwide acclaim. He has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award, and was awarded the Order of Distinction (officer class) for his contribution to Jamaican Culture and Entertainment in 2018. Yellowman has been touring consistently all over the world; and is particularly thrilled to be touring with his talented daughter and releasing his new. His daughter K’reema is also excited about her father’s latest project. “I am very excited; it’s been a long time coming,” said K’reema. Yellowman’s new single “No More War” which he co-wrote with his daughter Kreema was released earlier this year.

K’Reema (Yellowman’s Daughter)
Singer/songwriter, born and raised in Jamaica, now living in the United States, Kareema Foster, also known as K’reema, is an up and coming musician pursuing her long-lived dream and first love: Music! “My music is a representation of me, infusing both worlds, my reggae and dancehall roots with my pop and R&B influence, creating my sound” says K’Reema. She is following in her father’s footsteps and paving her own way in the music industry with releases like “We Don’t Give A F#%K”. With a large Twitter following, she is garnering attention for herself and setting out to make her own name in reggae, just like dad.

Army (Fritzmaurice Williams) was born and raised on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. He is to be counted among the many conscious singers and players of instruments from St. Croix who are worthy of international recognition. Army’s voice – while influenced by such artists as Nat King Cole, Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor – is unique in all of contemporary reggae with its amazing ability to be both deeply soothing and intensely energizing. With a voice as invigorating and free as the wind, and with word sound utterances that penetrate hearts and minds, Army’s mission is clear. He is firmly committed to using his music as a weapon in the war for spiritual renewal and justice for all peoples.

Reggae artist, Spiritual lives by the principles of integrity and good character and doesn’t imitate. He writes original songs of meaning and depth, and then records them in a studio with “live” musicians, including horn and lead guitar players, percussionists and backing singers. Reggae music hasn’t sounded like this for a generation. His music is from the heart, bearing messages for all nations, From the start, Spiritual’s music sang of hope and uplifted the spirits, which is how he got his name.

Reemah, hailing from the island of St. Croix, is one of the new Roots Revolutionaries in this time and space encouraging all those that listen with an uplifting and spiritual message. Having always been passionate about stimulating the mind and soul through music, Reemah has been planting the seeds of a divine flame, bringing awareness with each social commentary that is seemingly wrapped in a gritty, unapologetic yet sweetly satisfying package.

San Diego is known for cultivating some of the best Reggae to come out of the US and is a desired destination for Reggae lovers everywhere. The Originators have developed a unique style, bring a wide range of Reggae influences to their sound and their set is always dynamic. Their style is traditional Reggae mixed with hints of rocksteady, modern Reggae and a vocal style that is heavily influenced by classic Reggae and the Motown Sound of American R&B.

Other performers include Sol Remedy, Ninjah P Soundsystem (Virgin Islands), and Boostive (CA), Native American Drumming by Tim Red Bird and the Red Warriors, African Drum and Dance and Danza Azteca Blessing.

This two-day festival will offer arts & crafts vendors plus Caribbean vegetarian food in the WorldBeat Center café, plus the new sober curious bar including kombucha on tap.

WorldBeat Productions has been a pioneer in producing roots reggae artists since for many years and recognizes February as Black History Month in the U.S. but in Jamaica, it has been commemorated as ‘Reggae Month’. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, the Jamaican Minister of Culture said, “This Reggae Month is the grand celebration party for the recent inscription of the Reggae Music of Jamaica to the UNESCO list of Intangible treasures for the whole of humanity.”
​​
WorldBeat Cultural Center is located at 2100 Park Boulevard in San Diego, CA 92101

Visit bobfestsandiego.com for more information | info@worldbeatcenter.org

619-230-1190

Runoko Rashidi is an anthropologist and historian with a major focus on what he calls the Global African Presence–that is, Africans outside of Africa before and after enslavement. He is the author or editor of eighteen books, the most recent of which are My Global Journeys in Search of the African Presence and Assata-Garvey and Me: A Global African Journey for Children in 2017. His other works include Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2011 and African Star over Asia: The Black Presence in the East, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2012 and revised and reprinted in April 2013 and Uncovering the African Past: The Ivan Van Sertima Papers, published by Books of Africa in 2015. His other works include the African Presence in Early Asia, co-edited by Dr. Ivan Van Sertima. Four of Runoko’s works have been published in French.

As a traveler and researcher Dr. Rashidi has visited 120 countries. As a lecturer and presenter, he has spoken in sixty-five countries.

Runoko has worked with and under some of the most distinguished scholars of our generation, including Ivan Van Sertima, John Henrik Clarke, Asa G. Hilliard, Edward Scobie, John G. Jackson, Jan Carew and Yosef ben-Jochannan.

In 2005 Rashidi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree by the Amen-Ra Theological Seminary in Los Angeles.

In October 1987 Rashidi inaugurated the First All-India Dalit Writer’s Conference in Hyderabad, India.

In 1999 he was the major keynote speaker at the International Reunion of the African Family in Latin America in Barlovento, Venezuela.

In August 2010 he was first keynote speaker at the First Global Black Nationalities Conference in Osogbo, Nigeria.

In December 2010 he was President and first speaker at the Diaspora Forum at the FESMAN Conference in Dakar, Senegal.

He is currently pursuing a major work on the African presence in the museums of the world.

As a tour leader he has taken groups to India, Australia, Fiji, Turkey, Jordan, Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Togo, Benin, France, Belgium, England, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia, Ethiopia, Mexico, Luxembourg, Germany, Cameroon, the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, the Gambia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Runoko Rashidi’s major mission in life is the uplift of African people, those at home and those abroad. He is the official Traveling Ambassador for Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.