Executive Director, Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad, of The Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute at Cal State University Dominquez Hills, in partnership with Rainbow Promotions, has announced the inaugural Dymally International Jazz and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The festival will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly Home Depot Center and Stub Hub Center) and hosted by actor, political commentator, radio host, author and stand-up comedian, D.L. Hughley.

“We are proud to bring culture and thought together on the campus of Cal State University Dominguez Hills which houses a premier entertainment venue such as the Dignity Health Sports Park,” stated Dr. Samad.  “The Dymally Institute is also proud to partner with such a well- established promoter, Rainbow Promotions, to bring first class entertainment, jazz and art talent.  We are looking forward to an exciting event.”

The festival will deliver a day of international literary and visual arts, and live music from two stages including jazz, reggae, Afro -Cuban and R&B genres.  Enjoy the soulful voice of Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Kem, internationally known reggae artist Maxi Priest, 8-time Grammy nominee Gerald Albright, soul band Moonchild, jazz flutist Nestor Torres and South African songstress Lira on Stage One.  Stage Two performers are the innovative Parlor Social, Reggae/Ghanian Afro-Roots artist, Rocky Dawuni, writer, performer, curator and poet B.A. Williams, South Central Los Angeles poet and professor, bridgette bianca, Brazilian dance company, Samba Soul and the Afro-Cuban sounds of Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca.

A visual art gallery, created by curator Pamela Bright-Moon, will include works, either in the auction or for sale, from Allyson Allen, Kenny Gatewood, Patrick Henry Johnson, Michael Massenburg, Sam Pace, Sepia Artist Collective, Philip Risby, Nychole Owens, Dewey Tafoya and Sandra Zebi.

 Music, books of poetry and festival merchandise will also be available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Cal State University Dominguez Hills Philanthropic Foundation in support of the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute.

Tickets are available now at https://www.axs.com/events/371311/dymally-international-jazz-arts-festival-kem-tickets.

The mission of the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute is to build community and institutional memory, through a digital archive, of the history and contributions of African American elected officials, business leaders, and community leaders who have influenced the progress of the State of California and the nation; to influence public policy debates through on-going academic and community research dealing with African American political and economic development concerns and impacts in California and elsewhere around the nation; to help develop the next generation of elected officials, civic, and policy leaders; and to engage the CSUDH community through cultural experiences that promote the Dymally influence in the African Diaspora.