✧ Portraits of Service ✧
Nataki is a visionary leader, cultural preservationist, and the Executive Director of Ras Tafari Inc., an organization dedicated to upholding the principles of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Ethiopian heritage, and the global Rastafari movement. With decades of dedication to community empowerment, ancestral reverence, and pan-African solidarity, she has become a cornerstone of the SelassieFest experience and a guiding force for roots revival in Chicago and beyond.
Under her stewardship, Ras Tafari Inc. has expanded educational initiatives, interfaith dialogues, and cultural festivals that bridge the wisdom of elders with the energy of youth. Nataki’s leadership is defined by Nyahbinghi principles, social justice advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to Ital living, sustainable agriculture, and cannabis as a sacred sacrament.
Ras Tafari Inc. Leadership
Architect of community programs, cultural symposiums, and legal advocacy for Rastafari rights. Instrumental in establishing the Ethiopian Heritage Grounds as a sacred space for reasoning and worship.
Higher Learning Roots
Creator of the Cannabis Education Village & “From Farm to Dispensary” curriculum, bridging ancestral botanical knowledge with modern wellness and restorative justice.
Nyabinghi Groundation
Revitalized the Dawn Groundation ceremony at SelassieFest, gathering hundreds each year for drumming, libations, and collective meditation at sunrise — a spiritual homecoming.
Pan-African Bridge
Forged partnerships with Ethiopian Orthodox leaders, Jamaican sound system pioneers, and African diaspora scholars, making SelassieFest a global intersection of roots & culture.
A Living Legacy: SelassieFest & Beyond
As Executive Director of Ras Tafari Inc., Nataki has transformed SelassieFest from a small community gathering into a renowned one‑day roots reggae and cultural festival. Her holistic approach weaves together Sound System Yard, Ital Food Marketplace, Healing Grove, and the Reasoning Circle — ensuring that every attendee experiences restoration, education, and joyful resistance. Under her guidance, the festival also features the Youth & Family Village and the Ethiopian Heritage Village, making intergenerational learning a cornerstone of the event.
Nataki’s dedication extends beyond festival days: year‑round she leads herb medicine workshops, restorative justice circles, and cultural exchanges that uplift the South Side Chicago community and the global Rastafari family. Her work is a testament to the living spirit of His Imperial Majesty — “Peace, Love, and Unity for all humanity.”
Honors & Recognitions
✦ Community Builder Award (Chicago Cultural Alliance)
✦ Keynote Speaker at International Rastafari Conference (Ethiopia, 2024)
✦ Advisor for Illinois Cannabis Equity Initiative
✦ Featured in "Roots Renaissance" documentary
Community Initiatives
Founder of the “Herb & Health” mobile clinic, co‑creator of the Youth Agricultural Stewardship Program, and lead organizer of the annual “Reasoning on the Block” dialogue series that addresses gun violence, food justice, and cultural reclamation.
Connect with the Executive Director
Nataki welcomes collaboration, spiritual dialogue, and partnership opportunities aligned with Ras Tafari Inc.’s mission. For speaking engagements, media inquiries, or to support the SelassieFest vision, reach out directly.
nataki@selassiefest.com“In the spirit of His Imperial Majesty, we rise. One Love, One Destiny.”