Detroit doesn’t need to reinvent itself to be relevant. This city has long been the birthplace of cultural brilliance and political resistance. That truth is echoed in the grounds chosen for AfroFuture’s U.S. debut this August. The festival will take place at Bedrock’s Douglass Site, land once home to the Frederick Douglass Homes—a public housing complex that stood as a symbol of Black family strength, resilience, and the layered challenges of urban renewal in Detroit. It’s where Black Detroiters built community and where Motown royalty once laid their heads at night. Before global fame, before the hit records, some of music’s greatest voices came from this neighborhood.
This August, the energy returns. AfroFuture Detroit will take root on the historic Douglass Site for its U.S. debut on August 16 and 17, 2025. But the festival doesn’t just appear. It grows through weeks of intentional community connection, honoring Black innovation, culture, and legacy. From August 11 to 28, Detroiters will witness a slate of events that serve as a cultural bridge—connecting the local to the global, the past to the next.
“Bringing AfroFuture to Detroit isn’t just about launching a festival, it’s about building a cultural movement that lives in the city long before the first stage is set,” said Abdul Karim Abdullah, CEO and co-founder of AfroFuture. “We’re building excitement from the ground up and our countdown events are a reflection of our commitment to engaging with the community, celebrating the diaspora, and creating spaces where creativity, connection, and culture thrive.”
The Douglass Site, located just north of Eastern Market, was once home to the Frederick Douglass Homes—public housing that housed thousands of Black Detroiters over several generations. The complex was more than just housing; it was a cultural incubator. Motown’s brightest stars—Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and members of the Temptations—once lived within the area. The music that shaped the world was born in part from this very ground. After its demolition in 2014, the land remained quiet. This year, AfroFuture’s arrival brings purpose back to a place that was never forgotten.
Rohna Battle-Woodger carries the city in her brushstrokes. At just 24, the Detroit native has been named the official T-shirt designer for AfroFuture Detroit’s 2025 festival, with her winning artwork now featured online and set to be showcased during the event on August 16 and 17. A local artist grounded in the rhythm of the city, Rohna brings both pride and perspective to her role in the celebration. “Being selected as AfroFuture’s T-shirt designer feels surreal and empowering,” said Rohna Battle-Woodger. “As a Detroit native, this city shaped so much of my creativity. To have my work represent a festival celebrating Black culture, art, and innovation in my hometown is an honor. With this design, I wanted to capture the energy of our music and movement, the legacy of our roots, and the culture that connects the Diaspora. My hope is that when people wear it, they feel all of that.” Her design reflects the cultural pulse of Detroit, blending heritage and modernity in a way that mirrors the festival’s vision.
The celebration begins Monday, August 11 with the AfroFuture Countdown Bar Crawl. From 5 to 8 p.m. daily through August 15, Detroiters can visit iconic venues for specialty AfroFuture cocktails and vote for their favorites. Participating locations include Hush Harbor inside Fixins (Aug. 11), Easy Peasy & Cure Nailhouse (Aug. 12), The Vinyl Society (Aug. 13), Paramita Sound (Aug. 14), and Parlay (Aug. 15). Guests unlock exclusive rewards including limited-edition merch and VIP access.
Detroit’s culinary legacy steps into the spotlight during AfroFuture’s Taste of Detroit Restaurant Week, held from August 11 through 18. Participating Black-owned restaurants will offer prix-fixe lunch menus ranging from $20–$30 and dinner options from $55–$75. Cultural storytelling through food will take form at chef’s tables, demos, and community dinners. Confirmed restaurants include Kola Restaurant & Ultra Lounge, Ivy Kitchen and Cocktails, Salt + Ko, and Breadless. A full list is expected to follow.
On August 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., AfroFuture partners with Black Tech Saturdays and Venture 313 for Diaspora Connect: Innovation for Global Black Futures at Techthree (6001 Cass Avenue). This pitch competition offers up to $10,000 in equity-free funding to Black entrepreneurs building solutions in three categories: Digital Bridges & Cultural Exchange, Community Economic Development, and Creative Industries & Entertainment. Participants will also gain mentorship and media exposure.
AfroFuture will shift the tone to art and vulnerability on August 14 with “poetry me, please–A Diasporic Spoken Word Experience.” Hosted from 6 to 10 p.m. at Willis Show Bar, the night will feature live music and storytelling that centers truth and transformation across the diaspora. The evening is curated in collaboration with poetry me, please, offering a platform for voices that often go unheard.
Afrocentric Movie Nights will take place every Thursday throughout August at Lowkey (1456 Woodward Avenue), in partnership with Cinema Lamont and Lowkey Cinema. Screenings begin at 8 p.m. and include “Space Is the Place” on August 14, “Crumbs” on August 21, and “Born in Flames” on August 28. These films offer sharp perspectives on Black futurism, resistance, and collective vision. Admission is free and popcorn is provided.
On August 15 from 6 to 11 p.m., Samples n’ Friends teams up with AfroFuture to celebrate Black music’s layered legacy through trivia, karaoke, and community interaction. Attendees will engage with sampled tracks tied to AfroFuture artists, Afrobeats hits, and classic Detroit Motown records. The event will be hosted at Lowkey and merges education with celebration.
AfroFuture will also host a lineup of official pre- and after-parties. The Jerk x Jollof Pre-Party kicks off on August 15. On August 16, the city will come alive with the Obi’s House After Party, the Toasted Life After Party, and the R&B After Show and PVO. Closing the stretch is the Jerk x Jollof After Party on August 17. Tickets for these events will be available on detroit.afrofuture.com.
“Hosting AfroFuture’s U.S. debut in Detroit provides a great moment for the community to come together and experience so much more than just a festival,” said Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock. “AfroFuture Detroit and its leadup events will honor the deep ties between the city and the African diaspora, amplify diverse voices, and foster and strengthen meaningful connections.”
As the main event approaches, the lineup reflects the global reach of Black sound. Saturday’s headliner is Asake. Sunday belongs to Davido. The roster includes Kaytranada, Ludmilla, Gims, Flavour, Lojay, Tee Grizzley, King Promise, KiDi, FAVE, and DING DONG featuring Platinum Kids and Noah Powa. DJs bringing sound to life include Juls, DJ Obi, DJ Mo Beatz, DJ Prince, Ethan Tomas, DJ LAJ, and DJ RB Nice.
The Culture Stage will feature DJ Maphorisa, DBN Gogo, TxC, Tyler ICU, Donavan Glover, Ethereal, Jeanine Styles, DJ MOHOGANY, DJ K-Dawg & EZ Pass, Jerk X Jollof (Jae and Flygerian), Days Like This (DLT), Obi’s House, and Toasted Life.
Hosting duties for the weekend will be carried by Young Prince, LOLAHSTIC, DJBJ 3525, and Lana LaDonna. Their presence brings familiarity, style, and rhythm rooted in Detroit’s own cultural pulse.
Two-day general admission ticket bundles (17+) became available July 1 at 8 a.m. Each ticket includes access to all stages, Detroit-based and international food vendors, branded activations, refillable water stations, art installations, curated merchandise, and an artisan marketplace. Hotel blocks and Delta Airlines flight discounts are available now at detroit.afrofuture.com, where media professionals may also apply for credentials.
This is Detroit setting the tone on its own land. The Douglass Site was once home to elders who held this city together through hardship and artists who changed music history. AfroFuture’s debut will echo those footsteps and place Detroit, once again, at the center of global culture.
