More Than a Festival: BBPN’s Afrofest Moncton Experience
By Oreoluwa Orokotan
Education & Community Outreach Program Assistant
Some events you attend. Others, you experience. For BBPN’s Oreoluwa Orokotan, Moncton Afrofest was the second
kind.
“I knew it would be a celebration of African culture,” she says, “but I didn’t realize just how much I would learn
from the experience.” Representing the Black Business & Professional Network (BBPN) made the day even more
meaningful. She wasn’t just attending, she was connecting with the community and seeing firsthand the impact
events like this can have.
Music, Food, and a Whole Continent in One Place
From the moment she arrived, the atmosphere was electric, with music, dancing, families, and vendors proudly
sharing food, clothing, artwork, and products from across Africa. “Every dish had its own unique flavour,” she
recalls. “Food has a way of bringing people together, and throughout the festival, it became a conversation starter
that connected people from all walks of life.”
Working the BBPN booth, Oreoluwa spoke with dozens of visitors about the organization’s programs. Some were
hearing about BBPN for the first time, others were curious to learn more about the new ACCESS Initiative. “These
conversations reminded me that many people are looking for opportunities to grow their businesses, advance their
careers, and connect with others in the community,” she says.
“All Africans Coming Together”
Oreoluwa also sat down with festival goer Idara Nssien to ask what makes Afrofest so special:
“It brings about all kinds of African people. It’s not just Nigerians, it’s not just Cameroonians. It’s all
Africans coming together to cook and dance and serve the world.”
That answer captured the day perfectly. Afrofest wasn’t about any one country or culture. It was a celebration of
Africa as a whole, where traditions were shared and, for a few hours, everyone belonged to the same story.
A Lesson in Community
For someone new to BBPN, the day was also a lesson in what community engagement really looks like: showing up,
listening, and creating spaces where people feel welcomed. “It didn’t matter where people came from or what
language they spoke, everyone was there to celebrate together,” Oreoluwa says.
She left Afrofest inspired, grateful, and hoping the celebration keeps growing, with the same energy someday
reaching other cities across New Brunswick and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who organized Moncton Afrofest, and to everyone who stopped by the BBPN booth. We’ll
see you next year.
Curious about BBPN’s ACCESS Initiative and other programs? Explore BBPN’s programs to learn how to get
involved.
