SELASSIEFEST
One Day. One Love. One Society.
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RAS TAFARI INC.  ·  Established June 2026

Our Journey

From vision to a federally recognized 501(c)(3) — every milestone on the road to SelassieFest 2026.

4 yrsIn the making
44Milestones
—Days to July 25
$2,323Invested to date
Where It All Began
The Origins
Jul–Aug 2022
Prestige Sound begins SelassieFest conversations with Albert Harris Origins
Late July / Early August 2022 · The seed of SelassieFest 2026 is planted
First organizing meeting — Basu Farm, Kankakee, Illinois Origins
Saturday, August 20, 2022 · Kirk, Jah-Syl, and Pam Basu gather at the Basu Farm · The vision for SelassieFest is born in community, on the land
· · · nearly 4 years later · · ·
Legal & Government
Event Production
Governance
Web & Technology
People & Community
In Progress
Jun05
selassiefest.com went live Web
Official festival website launched · Public-facing presence established
Prestige Sound — first contact with Albert Harris Community
Prestige Sound called Albert · Sound system partnership conversation initiated
Jun06
Domain secured — selassiefest.com (6-year renewal) Web
GoDaddy · 6-year term locked in · $141.23
Jun07
Organizational Meeting of the Board of Directors Governance
2:00 PM · 765 E 154th St, South Holland · Quorum present · Original Bylaws adopted
Board Resolution No. 2026-17 adopted Governance
Authorized IRS Form 1023-EZ filing · Three-Year Business Plan approved
Foundational corporate policies adopted Governance
Conflict of Interest · Gift Acceptance · Document Destruction · Records Retention & Destruction
Jun08
EIN assigned — IRS Notice CP575A Legal
EIN 42-3036705 · Name control: RAST · Issued by IRS Philadelphia
Incorporated in Illinois as not-for-profit corporation Legal
IL Secretary of State · Form NFP 102.10 · File No. 75598726 · $76.69
Jun09
IRS Form 1023-EZ submitted Legal
Pay.gov Tracking ID: 2833G86T · Agency ID: 77413835507 · $275.00
Venue deposit paid — 6227 S Prairie Ave, Chicago Production
Venue owner: Cleadis Fields · Deposit $850.00 of $1,650 total · via Zelle
Jun12
IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter received Legal
Letter 947 · Public charity 509(a)(2) · Effective June 9, 2026 · Donations tax-deductible
Chucky — promotional photo shoot Community
Festival promotional imagery captured · Building visual identity
Jun13
Matches sets the standard — "We have to run it like a business" Community
"We have to run it like a business." — Matches · A defining moment of operational clarity for the organizing committee
Microphone Bill confirmed as event host Community
Microphone Bill added to the hosting team · Stage presence and crowd energy secured for July 25
Dwight takes charge of venue decoration Community
Dwight assumes lead role in designing and decorating the festival venue · Creative vision locked in
Jun14
Event backdrops & Rastafari banners ordered Production
Temu · 17 items — Lion of Judah tapestries, Haile Selassie prints, Rasta Lion banners · $277.91
Jun15
Illinois Certificate of Good Standing obtained Legal
IL Secretary of State · Auth. #2616601867 · Valid through 06/15/2027 · $11.00
Amended & Restated Bylaws adopted + Banking Resolution Governance
Chase Bank authorized · Albert Harris — Primary Signatory · Dual-control tiered framework · Signed by all 3 directors (6/16/2026)
Festival site visit — 6227 S Prairie Ave Production
Organizing committee walks the venue · Layout, flow, and stage placement scoped in person
Event flyers & print materials produced Production
M13 Graphics, Schaumburg IL · $300.66
Jun18
Chase Bank business account opened Banking
Primary commercial checking account · RAS TAFARI INC. · Albert Harris — Primary Signatory
Chicago park event permit filed In Progress
City of Chicago · CPG SVC FEE · Filing submitted · Approval pending · $11.00
Park inspection & event license — processing In Progress
City of Chicago · CTYCHGO PRT INSP LIC · Application under review · $500.00
Cheryl the Rocker — first ticket inquiry via selassiefest.com Tickets
Inquired about free admission · Ticket code 760793 issued · Community excitement building
Jun20
Fishman — promotional photo shoot Community
Festival promotional imagery captured · Expanding visual presence for SelassieFest 2026
Jun21
Indika Reggae Band committed to perform Artist
Artist booking confirmed · SelassieFest 2026 live reggae lineup solidified
Jun23
Chase business debit card arrived Banking
RAS TAFARI INC. · Account fully operational for in-person and online purchases
Special event liability insurance secured Insurance
EventSured · 1-day coverage · July 25, 2026 · 6227 S Prairie Ave, Chicago · $362.39
Jun24
Field Marshall — host commitment solidified Community
Field Marshall confirmed as event host · Stage presence and community leadership locked in for July 25
Jun25
Chase Ink business credit card arrived Banking
RAS TAFARI INC. · Full banking infrastructure now in place — checking, debit, and credit
5 event canopy tents ordered (10×30 ft each) Production
Temu · Pergola-style white canopies · Qty 5 · $367.48
Jun26
Selecta Matches — a defining statement of purpose Community
"I lost money because the Selectas did not know how to spin for my crowd." — Selecta Matches · A profound reminder of why curation, cultural knowledge, and crowd connection are at the heart of SelassieFest · This moment sharpens the standard for every selector on the lineup
Today  ·  June 28, 2026
Jun27
Organizational Constitution adopted Governance
Signed by Stephen Henry (President) · Paul Kelly (VP/Treasurer) · Albert Harris (Secretary) · Motto: "Inity in Spirit. Precision in Execution."
Projected budget & financial plan prepared Governance
FY 2026 budget: $13,813 · Supporting Illinois STAX-1 state sales tax exemption application
Applied for Illinois Sales Tax Exemption (STAX-1) Legal
Illinois Department of Revenue · MyTax Illinois portal · Application submitted alongside projected budget & supporting documents
First SelassieFest 2026 ticket purchased — Asha Jackson Tickets
Ticket Tailor · Order ID: 78727039 · Free admission ticket · A historic first for RAS TAFARI INC.
Accomplishment timeline published to selassiefest.com Web
github.com/trcevents · selassiefest.com/about/journey/
Jun28
Adobe nonprofit discount approved Tech
Adobe for Nonprofits · Acrobat & Creative tools at nonprofit pricing · adobe.com/nonprofits/acrobat.html
LinkedIn Premium nonprofit discount approved Tech
LinkedIn for Nonprofits · Premium access at discounted rate · Expanding organizational reach & partnerships
ChatGPT nonprofit discount approved Tech
OpenAI for Nonprofits · AI-powered tools secured at nonprofit pricing · Supporting operations & content creation
Microsoft nonprofit grants & discounts approved Tech
Microsoft for Nonprofits · Full suite of grants and discounted licenses · Office 365, Azure & more
Canva for Nonprofits approved Tech
Canva nonprofit plan · Premium design tools for event graphics, social media & marketing materials
$2,323Invested to date
501(c)(3)Federal status
3Chase accounts
8Policy docs
3Artists booked
Jul 25SelassieFest 2026
Gates open 6:00 AM  ·  6227 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60637  ·  Free Admission
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