About

/oo-MO-jah/

Umoja

A Kiswahili word meaning “unity.” Used to highlight the importance of unity and togetherness in the family, community and nation. Umoja is the first of seven principles (Nguzo Saba) celebrated during the Kwanzaa holiday celebration.

The Festival

Named for a Kiswahili word meaning “Unity,” The Portsmouth Umoja Festival is one of the oldest festivals celebrating African-American culture in the United States. Created and operated by the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, the Festival offers an exciting blend of ancient and contemporary art forms over three days on the downtown Portsmouth waterfront. Nationally acclaimed musical acts, children’s activities and a world of traditional foods, arts, crafts and entertainment abound, including the Heritage Tours, exhibitions, community information area, and a dazzling arts & crafts marketplace filled with sculptures, paintings, prints, baskets, quilts and other assorted hand-crafted wares.

The Culture

The Umoja Festival was created to link visitors to the sights, sounds, tastes and soul of the African continent, while symbolizing unity in the family, community and nation. The festival opens on Friday with a traditional African drum call and a blessing ceremony by the Council of Elders. In keeping with African tradition, permission from a community’s elders is sought for their wisdom, knowledge and experience before such a festival can begin – a tradition the Festival has always observed with elders of the Portsmouth community, The Festival then continues through Saturday with food, marketplace shopping and live music, and ends Sunday with a jubilee of traditional gospel music.

The Community

To further highlight the importance of unity in our community, the Umoja Festival invites a number of nonprofit and social service organizations to set up exhibits and spread awareness about available services to festival participants.

Meet The 2026 Umoja Festival Elders

Mr. Rick Germain and Mrs. Wilda Battle

Mr. Rick Germain - Umoja King Elect

The 2026 Umoja Festival King Elect is Mr. Rick Germain. Mr. Germain grew up in Michigan and spent his teenage years in Pennsylvania. He is a retired veteran; first serving in the US Navy, followed by the US Coast Guard where he served his final years in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he decided to stay after retiring 15 years ago.

Mr. Rick Germain has been a welcomed addition to the Portsmouth Senior Station for the past 3 years. Originally coming only twice a week for exercise class, he soon began participating in other events and activities to include singing in the Senior Station’s choir. He is now an everyday visitor!

Mr. Germain says, “I was pleased with the welcome I received, and I was impressed with the sense of community. The Unity and respect for one another that I felt and now, I am honored to represent this community in the upcoming Umoja Festival. I will do my best to promote the Umoja message.”

Mrs. Wilda Battle - Umoja Queen Elect

The 2026 Umoja Festival Queen Elect is Mrs. Wilda Battle. Mrs. Battle, a Norfolk native, moved to Portsmouth following marriage and has been a permanent resident of our beloved city for the last 25 years. She is a mother to three daughters, a grandmother to three granddaughters and one grandson. After graduating from Norfolk State University, Mrs. Battle was employed by AM Shopping Channel as an operating manager.

She is an active community volunteer. One place she frequents often is Portsmouth Senior Station, where she participates in and performs for numerous events. Most recently, Mrs. Battle performed the National Anthem at the Senior Station. She is also an active member of the Tidewater Chapter of GMWA, Co- host on “The Power of Life” broadcast on WPCE Radio, host of a podcast dedicated to activating and amplifying the female voice, and a Capitol Hill Club member with Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. Mrs. Wilda volunteers so much that she cannot name all the organizations and places. Outside of her busy schedule, she enjoys painting, crafting, traveling and of course, being at the Portsmouth Senior Station.