AIKEN — The sounds of joyous praise and gospel music filled Beverly D. Clyburn Generations Park on Oct. 18 at the third annual Shoutfest Unityfest, sponsored by Umoja Village.
Billed as the largest free gospel music in the Central Savannah River Area, it is the third year it was organized by Umoja Village, a non-profit advocacy organization that connects underserved and underrepresented individuals to the resources they need.
“This is holy ground, and I want you to know that we have prayed over this ground. This ground has been anointed because we are lifting up who today? Jesus. Amen!” Donna Moore Wesby, co-founder and CEO of Umoja Village, said from the stage on which nearly 20 gospel recording artists were scheduled to perform.
They included headliners Melvin Crispell III, Billboard chart-topper Pastor Wess Morgan, Stellar Award-nominated Monica Lisa Stevenson and local favorites Laura Wilson and Chris Parker.
The event was started 17 years ago by a local gospel radio station, for whom Wesby had organized the event for five years. The station was sold in 2023, so Umoja Village stepped up to continue the festival.
“Our organization is all about unity, all about community, bringing people together, so it was a no-brainer to keep it going,” Wesby said.
She said that based on past attendance she expected more than 4,000 people to attend the six-hour event. Sponsors included The Chandler Law Firm, Tom and Pam Powers,, Holistic Health Care, Security Federal Bank, Reuben and Rena Cooper, Willar and PK Hightower, SCANA Energy, John Robinson of North Augusta and New Beginning Ministries of Beech Island.
There was an activity zone for children and more than 45 vendors.
“We just try to make it convenient and comfortable for everybody to come out and enjoy themselves and be unified, because unity is what makes us strong,” said Umoja Village co-founder Don Wesby. “We’re hoping that our community continues to grow in unity.”
