Stephen Henry
President
Founder and driving force behind Ras Tafari Inc and SelassieFest. Stephen leads the organization's vision, community partnerships, and mission to celebrate Ethiopian and Jamaican heritage in Chicago.
Leadership
Bobby Brown
Vice President
Bobby supports the President in strategic planning, board governance, and festival operations. He chairs special committees and ensures the organization's community commitments are met with integrity and care.
Nataki
Executive Director
Visionary leader, cultural preservationist, and custodian of Rastafari heritage. Nataki drives the mission of Ras Tafari Inc with decades of dedication to community empowerment, ancestral reverence, and Pan-African solidarity.
Full profileCore Team
Marlon
Role TBD
A valued member of the SelassieFest collective bringing his experience and commitment to the community.
Field Marshall
Role TBD
A cornerstone of the crew, Field Marshall brings strength and vision to the SelassieFest mission.
Dougie Allen
Role TBD
Dougie brings energy, dedication, and roots culture knowledge to the SelassieFest collective.
Dwight Smith
Role TBD
Dwight contributes his skills and passion for community to help make SelassieFest a transformative annual experience.
Matches
Role TBD
A creative force within the SelassieFest family, Matches helps ignite the spirit of the festival year round.
Q-Ality
Engineer
Q-Ality brings technical mastery to the sound and production side of SelassieFest, ensuring every frequency hits right and every system runs clean.
Fatta Fyah
Advisor
Fatta Fyah brings deep roots knowledge and wisdom to the organization, guiding SelassieFest with experience, culture, and fire.
Affiliates
Organizations and community partners who share our roots, our values, and our commitment to Chicago's Jamaican and African diaspora community.
Health & Cultural Organization
Jamaicans4Life
Chicago Chapter of Jamaicans4Life — working internationally and in the Midwest to address multiple health disparities within the Jamaican diaspora community. Donations accepted via Zelle at jamaicans4life@gmail.com.
jamaican4life.org
Diaspora Nonprofit
MIJAC — Midwest Jamaica Corps
A nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL dedicated to supporting and empowering the Jamaican diaspora across the Midwest. Empowering the Jamaican Community — one connection at a time.
mijac.org
Pan-African Project
Jamaica Village Ghana
A Pan-African development initiative building cultural and economic bridges between the Jamaican diaspora and Ghana — connecting the dots of the African diaspora across continents.
Learn more
Business & Economic
Midwest Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce
Supporting Caribbean American entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the Midwest, promoting economic development and cultural commerce within the diaspora community.
Cultural Center
Caribbean Cultural Center Chicago
Celebrating the rich traditions of Caribbean music, arts, cuisine, and heritage in Chicago through festivals, workshops, and community programming year-round.
Community Association
Chicago Jamaican Association
One of Chicago's longest-standing Jamaican diaspora organizations, providing a home for Jamaican Americans through cultural events, social support, and community advocacy.
Housing & Reentry
2nd Chance Housing Inc
A nonprofit dedicated to providing transitional and supportive housing for individuals re-entering society. 2nd Chance Housing believes in the dignity of every person and the power of a stable home as the foundation for a new chapter.
Clubs & Organizations
Chicago's Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora community organizations — sourced from the Illinois Jamaican Community directory.
Consulate
Chicago Jamaican Consulate
Official Jamaican consular services for Chicagoland residents — visa processing, notarial services, and support for Jamaican nationals in Illinois.
jamaicanconsulatechicago.org
Community Club
Jamaican American Club
A Chicago-area club connecting Jamaican Americans through cultural events, social gatherings, and community support.
jamaicanamericanclub.weebly.com
Cultural Pride
Team Jamaica United
Celebrating Jamaican national pride and culture in Chicago through events, mas band participation, and community celebration.
Facebook
Diaspora Network
Jamaican Diaspora
A global network connecting Jamaicans abroad — sharing news, culture, business, and community resources across the diaspora.
jamaicandiaspora.com
Excellence & Achievement
Caribbean Excellence
Promoting academic, professional, and cultural excellence within the Caribbean American community in the greater Chicago area.
Facebook
Business
Martin's International
An international business serving Chicago's Caribbean community with goods, services, and cultural products connecting the diaspora to the islands.
martinsinternational.com
Sports
West Indies Jets SC
Caribbean-rooted soccer club in Chicago representing the West Indian community on the pitch — bringing the beautiful game together with island pride.
Facebook
Youth Sports
JahBat FC — Junior Soccer
Youth soccer program rooted in Caribbean culture, developing the next generation of players and community leaders through the sport.
jahbatfc.org
Civic Association
Jamaican American Association of IL
A civic organization advocating for the rights, interests, and cultural preservation of Jamaican Americans throughout Illinois.
najaso.org
Sports
Evanston Cricket Club
Bringing Caribbean cricket culture to the North Shore of Chicago — keeping the sport alive and building community through one of the diaspora's most beloved games.
Facebook
Arts & Culture
West Indian Folk Dance Theatre Co.
Preserving and performing the traditional folk dances of the West Indies in Chicago — keeping ancestral movement arts alive for new generations.
Facebook
Food Justice & Agriculture
Trees That Feed Foundation
A nonprofit fighting hunger by planting fruit trees in the Caribbean and beyond — rooted in the same Ital principles of nourishment and land stewardship that guide SelassieFest.
treesthatfeed.org
Creative Collective
The WARE Collective
A creative and community-driven collective amplifying Black and Caribbean voices through art, media, and cultural programming in Chicago.
thewarecollective.com
Family & Community
Caribbean American Family Network
Supporting Caribbean American families in the Chicago area through resources, community connections, and cultural programming that strengthens family bonds.
Facebook
Youth Programs
Jamaican Youth Assistance Program
Dedicated to uplifting Jamaican and Caribbean youth in Chicago through mentorship, educational support, and cultural identity programming.
Facebook