Gil Scott-Heron performs onstage at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Hopkins Plaza, August 8, 1976. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore

Fifty years ago, Baltimore’s festival scene birthed a summertime shrine to Black music and culture. The first AFRAM Expo was among the city’s many bicentennial celebrations, packing national and local talent into Hopkins Plaza on an early August weekend. With performances by local groups like Frankie and the Spindles and the Baltimore Dance Theater, it was headlined by some of the day’s biggest acts, including Gil Scott-Heron, Lou Rawls, Billy Taylor, and Art Blakey.

Throughout the years, wherever AFRAM went, from Charles Center to Camden Yards to Druid Hill Park, and whatever it evolved into, core memories would follow, making Baltimore — Black Baltimore — the place to witness history each summer. 

In 2002, Chris White, a Baltimore-raised DJ, brought his wife and kids to AFRAM, which had recently rebranded as the African American Heritage Festival. A lifelong “neosoul-head,” he remembers being blown away by Erykah Badu, one of the headliners that evening. 

“I had my three kids there, and with them being young children, I always wanted to make sure I exposed them to music that spoke to me, and in turn, would speak to them,” White said.

Never one to leave a concert early and miss out on a surprise, White wasn’t letting his three kids miss something either. Before heading home, he says they waited by the gates near the performers and their trailers until Badu made her grand exit. 

“She walked over to the gate where fans were speaking to everyone individually, and she really took a liking to my daughter, who was younger at that time, maybe nine or eight.”

Badu spoke positive affirmations over each of White’s three children, and his daughter, in her 30s now, still treasures the encounter. 

“She still speaks about her memory of being able to meet and see Erykah Badu, and her telling her that she’s going to be great in whatever she puts her mind to,” White said.

This weekend, the spirit of AFRAM will live on at Druid Hill Park. This year’s roster includes Charlie Wilson, The Lox, ’90s girl group SWV, Mario, Normani, Chloe Bailey, Baltimore’s Brandon Woody and Ultra Naté, and other fan favorites. 

Some 300,000 attendees are expected to be there, ensuring that one of the city’s best summer events will continue to burn bright. (Grace Hebron)

Elevated View at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Charles Center and Hopkins Plaza, August 6-7, 1977. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Couple in the crowd at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, August 5-6, 1978. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Miss Inner City at the Parade at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, August 5-6, 1978. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Greene Sisters (from left) Maxine Greene, Alfreda Williams, and Joyce Greene perform at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition as the Greene Sisters, August 7-8, 1976. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Convertible at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Charles Center and Hopkins Plaza, August 6-7, 1977. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Member of the John Taylor Dancers performs at AFRAM, August 7, 1976. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Reading at Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Charles Center and Hopkins Plaza, August 7-8, 1976. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Mother and Child at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, July 28-29, 1979. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Musicians tryout for the first Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, June 19, 1976. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
View of Rash Field at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, August 5-6, 1978. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Gospel Singers at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, August 5-6, 1978. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
African Dance Ensemble at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, July 28-29, 1979. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Marching Band at the Parade, Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, August 5-6, 1978. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
View of AFRAM Audience at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Rash Field, Inner Harbor, July 28-29, 1979. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Facing the Crowd at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Charles Center and Hopkins Plaza, August 6-7, 1977. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Edna Greene of the Greene Sisters performs at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, August 7-8, 1976. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore
Balloon at the Afro-American (AFRAM) Exposition, Charles Center and Hopkins Plaza, August 6-7, 1977. Credit: Robert Breck Chapman, courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Baltimore