Community organizer and cultural curator Prince Reece recently appeared on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday to discuss the origins of his advocacy and share details about the upcoming 2026 Skyway Nia Festival.

Finding a Purpose in the Community

Reece described himself as a "first-generation community steward," explaining that while his family benefited from community work, they were not actively involved in organizing it. His pathway began in 2014 when he met Africatown Community Landtrust CEO Wyking Garrett and entered the Africatown ecosystem.

"Paying the Fee" to Skyway

The inspiration to start a festival in Skyway arose from a period of deep self-reflection during the 2020 social justice protests. While activists were calling on institutions to "pay the fee" and return what was owed to the community, Reece turned that question inward.

"I had to do some self-reflection—who do I owe? Growing up and not being a positive person in Skyway, I owed Skyway. And so while we're saying all these people need to pay us, I needed to pay Skyway back."

Though he was active in areas like Seattle’s Central District, Olympia, Kent, and Renton, he recognized that his hometown was being left behind. He described Skyway as "an island by itself," serving largely as a shortcut rather than a destination where people stay.

To capture the community's energy, Reece co-organized a "Heal the Hood" march in June 2020. While sitting next to Garrett at a subsequent Umoja Fest, Reece realized the neighborhood needed its own annual celebration to maintain that momentum while bridging local identity with the broader Black diaspora. He chose the name Nia Fest because Nia means purpose, creating a conceptual link to Umoja (unity).

"We can be individuals, but we are connected as well,” he said.

Overcoming Loss and Hardship

Bringing Nia Fest to life was a three-year process marked by immense personal grief and structural setbacks. Reece initially planned to launch the festival in 2021, but local park renovations and the passing of his father delayed the project. In 2022, the park remained unfinished, and the sudden passing of his mother delayed plans yet again.

Reece resolved that 2023 had to be the year. "If I don't do it in 2023, I'm not going to be able to do it,” he said.

Tragically, the challenges continued. A key community partner, Elijah L. Lewis, was murdered just days before a scheduled meeting, and his primary consultant, Curtis Calhoun, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. "Everything told me that this should not happen. It was a real struggle to do it. Everywhere I'm turning... we didn't really get much support,” Reece said.

Refusing to quit, Reece led a skeleton crew for most of the planning cycle, managing to pull together a full team in the final week before the launch on July 22, 2023. The inaugural year was a beautiful success, fulfilling a promise Reece had made to his community years prior.

Looking Ahead to the Next NIA Fest

Now entering its consecutive years, Nia Fest has grown into a highly anticipated annual event. This year's festival on Saturday, August 8th will feature national R&B headliner J. Holiday.

The family-friendly celebration will boast a wide array of activities, including bouncy houses, a basketball tournament, retail vendors, and food trucks. King County will also be present to offer local services.

Nia Fest takes place on Saturday, August 8th, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Skyway Park, 12010 71st Ave S, Seattle. For updates, scheduling, and information, community members can follow the official festival pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

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