"God Alone": Odunde CEO Discusses Half-Century of Philadelphia Festival's Background
The Odunde Festival, a vibrant celebration of African and African American culture and heritage, has been a staple in Philadelphia for 50 years. Founded in 1975 by community leader Lois Fernandez, the festival was inspired by her pilgrimage to Nigeria where she witnessed a traditional Yoruba new year celebration. The name "Odunde" means “the celebration has arrived” in Yoruba.
Originally a small one-block event supported by just a $100 grant, the festival has grown substantially over the past five decades. Today, it transforms 16 city blocks in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood — one of Philadelphia’s oldest historically Black areas — into avenues filled with music, food, and traditions from the African and Caribbean diaspora. The festival now draws more than 500,000 attendees annually, making it possibly the largest African American street festival in the U.S.
The festival continues to be led by Fernandez’s daughter, Oshunbumi Fernandez-West, who became CEO. She has expanded the festival’s impact through year-round programming called ODUNDE365, which offers cultural education and youth initiatives throughout Philadelphia. Fernandez-West’s son recently joined the organization as COO, continuing the family legacy.
Although detailed specific challenges are not provided in recent sources, the growth from a small grassroots event to a half-million-people festival suggests complex logistical and organizational challenges inherent in managing crowds, maintaining cultural authenticity, and securing funding. There are also personal challenges within the leadership family, as Fernandez-West’s brother chose a different path, hinting at the personal sacrifices involved in sustaining such a cultural movement.
The Odunde Festival has become a major cultural institution in Philadelphia, celebrating African heritage and spirituality, notably through rituals like the annual procession to the Schuylkill River honoring the Yoruba goddess Oshun. It promotes community cohesion and cultural pride, particularly within historically Black neighborhoods. Besides the one-day street festival, the year-round ODUNDE365 programs foster ongoing cultural education and engagement for youth and the broader community, amplifying the festival’s positive social impact.
In recent years, the festival has taken a seat at the global table, being part of an international trade roundtable aimed at building relationships between Pennsylvania businesses and African nations. ODUNDE Sports, a new initiative led by Adeniyi Ogundana, will have a soccer lounge on 17th and South streets. The festival also plans to be part of the upcoming America250 celebrations in Philadelphia.
As a nonprofit organization, the website of Odunde relies on financial support from readers. Despite the challenges, Oshunbumi Fernandez-West attributes the survival of the festival to divine guidance. A grant has been secured to help promote the festival and the soccer lounge. In 2015, a report estimated that Odunde Festival brought in more than $28 million in revenue for Philadelphia and over $700,000 in tax revenue.
Lois Fernandez, prior to her passing in August 2017, was a single mother of two and worked full-time as a social worker for the city's Department of Human Services. Oshunbumi Fernandez-West, president and CEO of Odunde Inc., has led the festival for decades. She became her mother's primary caregiver, nursing her through breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and other health challenges.
In 2025, Adeniyi Ogundana officially took on the role of chief operating officer of Odunde. The website of Odunde provides fact-based, in-depth journalism and information about the festival, its history, and its impact on Philadelphia and the wider African diaspora.
The Odunde Festival, beyond its annual street celebration, has extended its reach to encompass home-and-garden and lifestyle aspirations, as evidenced by the upcoming ODUNDE Sports initiative and the soccer lounge on 17th and South streets. To maximize cultural exchange, the festival also endeavors to expand its travel horizons, participating in international trade roundtables and fostering relationships between Pennsylvania businesses and African nations.
