Community organizer and cultural curator Prince Reece recently shared the journey behind the Skyway Nia Festival during an appearance on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday. The motivation to create the festival emerged during the 2020 social justice protests, prompting Reece to reflect on his own relationship with his hometown of Skyway, which he felt had been treated more like a shortcut than a destination.

Driven by a desire to "pay the fee" back to his community, Reece drew inspiration from the concepts of Nia (purpose) and Umoja (unity) to establish a recurring celebration that could bridge local identity with the broader Black diaspora. Launching the festival became a demanding three-year endeavor, frequently interrupted by personal loss, structural delays, and significant hardships involving key partners. Despite these immense setbacks, Reece persisted, leading a skeleton crew to pull together the successful inaugural 2023 launch.

The 2026 festival, scheduled for Saturday, August 8th at Skyway Park, promises a family-friendly atmosphere featuring a performance by R&B headliner J. Holiday, alongside food trucks, retail vendors, and a basketball tournament. Stay updated on the festival’s Facebook and Instagram pages. 

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

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