The inaugural celebration at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College brought together football, a World Cup Watch Party, African and Caribbean food, a jollof rice competition, vendors, DJs, live performers, workshops, and community resources.
Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
Destination Africa 2026 brought African culture, food, football, music, business, and community activities to Los Angeles Trade-Technical College for a free, daylong celebration on June 13.
The inaugural event, organized by Monalisa Okojie, Founder and Executive Director of EXPOSE, and the Destination Africa team, ran from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and brought together families, vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, football fans, community organizations, and residents from across Los Angeles.
The program included football games on the field, a FIFA World Cup Watch Party, food and drink vendors, a jollof rice competition, DJs, live performances, cultural activities, workshops, panel discussions, business networking, and organizations providing information about community resources.
Throughout the day, attendees moved between the different activities taking place across the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College campus.
Football was one of the main attractions.
Games were played on the field as players and spectators gathered around the sport. The football activities gave attendees an opportunity to participate directly in the day rather than only watch from the sidelines.
The FIFA World Cup Watch Party brought fans together to follow matches during the tournament. Supporters gathered around the screens to watch the action, react to goals and missed opportunities, and enjoy the games with other football fans.
Food was another major part of the celebration.
Food vendors served dishes representing different parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Attendees had an opportunity to try West African street food, traditional dishes, snacks, refreshments, and other foods prepared by participating vendors.
The food area remained active throughout the day as families and visitors moved between the different booths.
One of the featured activities was the jollof rice competition.
Cooks prepared their versions of the popular West African dish, and the competition brought the familiar debate over jollof rice into the event.
Attendees tasted the different entries, compared flavors, and joined the conversation over which preparation stood out.
The competition added a lively food experience to a program that already featured vendors serving dishes from across Africa and the Caribbean.
Vendors and small businesses were also an important part of Destination Africa.
Entrepreneurs displayed and sold products, promoted their services, and introduced their businesses to attendees.
The vendor area gave guests an opportunity to shop, learn about local businesses, and meet entrepreneurs working in the African and diaspora communities.
Business owners also used the event to network with other vendors, professionals, community leaders, and potential customers.
Music continued throughout the day.
DJs played music from Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider diaspora, providing the soundtrack for the celebration.
Guests danced, gathered near the music, and moved between the food, vendor, football, and activity areas.
Live performers and artists also took the stage during the event.
The entertainment program included music and performances that gave artists an opportunity to share their work with the audience.
Families and other attendees gathered to watch the performances, while the DJs kept music playing between scheduled appearances.
Destination Africa also included cultural activities for children and adults.
The activities gave families an opportunity to participate in the event together and learn about different aspects of African and diaspora culture.
Alongside the entertainment and cultural programming, workshops and panel discussions were held during the day.
The sessions provided information on topics and resources relevant to members of the community.
Speakers, professionals, and community representatives participated in discussions designed to educate attendees and connect them with useful information.
Community organizations were also present to share resources and explain the services and programs available to residents.
Attendees could speak directly with representatives, ask questions, and learn more about organizations working in Los Angeles.
The combination of workshops, panel discussions, and resource organizations added an educational component to the event.
People who attended for football, food, music, or entertainment could also participate in conversations and receive information about programs and services available to the community.
The event brought several generations together.
Families attended with children, young people participated in the activities, and adults gathered around the football matches, vendors, food booths, workshops, and performances.
The range of activities allowed guests to experience the event in different ways.
Some attendees spent time watching football.
Others explored the vendor marketplace.
Food lovers sampled dishes and followed the jollof rice competition.
Families participated in cultural activities.
Football fans watched World Cup matches.
Guests attended workshops and panel discussions.
Others stayed near the stage for the DJs and live performers.
Throughout the event, business owners, community leaders, professionals, families, and residents had opportunities to meet and connect.
Destination Africa also brought together people from different African and Caribbean communities.
The food, music, vendors, performances, and attendees reflected different national and cultural backgrounds represented across Los Angeles and Southern California.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended the celebration, along with Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr., Ambassador Ezra Chiloba Simiyu, and other community leaders and guests.
Their participation added a civic and diplomatic presence to an event centered on African culture, diaspora communities, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Immigrant Magazine also participated in the gathering alongside community organizations, entrepreneurs, artists, families, and other attendees.
By the end of the day, Destination Africa 2026 had delivered a program that combined football, food, music, business, education, and cultural activities in one location.
Football games had been played on the field.
Fans had gathered for the FIFA World Cup Watch Party.
Food vendors had served dishes from Africa and the Caribbean.
The jollof rice competition had brought cooks and attendees together around one of West Africa’s best-known dishes.
Vendors had promoted their businesses and met new customers.
DJs had played music throughout the celebration.
Artists had performed before the crowd.
Families had participated in cultural activities.
Workshops and panel discussions had provided information and connected attendees with community resources.
For its inaugural event, Destination Africa 2026 brought a full day of activities to Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and provided a space for African and Caribbean communities, football fans, businesses, artists, families, and community organizations to gather during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Organizers thanked the sponsors, partners, volunteers, performers, vendors, community leaders, and attendees who supported the event and helped bring the first Destination Africa celebration to life.
The Destination Africa team said the inaugural event was the beginning of a larger project, with plans to continue bringing communities together through future programs and celebrations.
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