Broccoli City Festival 2024: A Star-Studded Celebration of Culture and Community

As summer winds down, the Broccoli City Festival in Washington, D.C., once again proved its status as a premier event combining music, culture, and community impact. Founded by Brandon McEachern, Marcus Allen, Jermon Williams, and Darryl Perkins, the annual festival returned last weekend with a new venue and an impressive talent lineup featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Victoria Monét, Gunna, Sexxy Red, Fridayy, Key Glock, Lil Yachty, Bryson Tiller and more. This year, it marked the festival’s 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of innovation and community engagement.

Held at Audi Field in Southwest D.C., the two-day, sold-out event attracted 50,000 patrons on July 27-28. The festival’s emphasis on live music matched its commitment to community impact. Williams highlighted this focus: “We want to continue to redefine the live events space and community impact.” The festival’s volunteerism app, WeChipN, allows participants to earn tickets to the festival and other events through acts of service, a testament to their dedication to giving back.

The festival featured performances from artists like Skilla Baby and Tanner Adell and other high-profile brands such as SheaMoisture and BLK. Issa Rae, an acclaimed writer, director, and actress, made multiple appearances and hosted the festival’s kickoff party. Rae’s brands, Viarae, and Sienna Naturals, were prominently featured throughout the weekend.

Initially founded to raise awareness of environmental issues, Broccoli City Festival has grown into a significant cultural event. Co-founder Marcus Allen emphasized the importance of its D.C. location, stating, “I think one of the reasons why we’ve always kept it here in the District is because D.C. represents something for Black culture.” The festival is affectionately linked to D.C.’s “Chocolate City” moniker, celebrating Black culture and community.

This year’s festival was a platform for both entertainment and education. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of voting and discussing the implications of conservative agendas like Project 2025. The festival’s setting, just miles from the Capitol Building, was perfect for highlighting the intersection of music and social issues.

Broccoli City began as a streetwear brand and evolved into a major festival. The inaugural event in 2013 attracted 5,000 attendees. Past hosts have included Jazmine Sullivan, Erykah Badu, and Summer Walker and more.

Beyond music, Broccoli City has expanded to include professional conferences, job fairs, and community service initiatives through its nonprofit, WeChipN. McEachern emphasized the importance of authenticity and responsiveness to feedback in creating meaningful events.

With its successful 2024 edition, Broccoli City Festival is a beacon of Black culture, community, and innovation. McEachern said, “It’s really about creating these moments yet again for us [Black communities] and getting us together.” The festival’s future looks bright, with plans to integrate more community engagement and maintain its dedication to impactful and entertaining experiences.