Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika ‘Geogia Me” Harper.
Tamika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
2020 will make 12 years of the Tamika Festival. When it happened, I received a call and was told the Delta Sorority wanted to honor me. Over 12 years ago, my man, at the time, forgot to pick up my dress at the dry cleaners and forgot to bring my coat for the event. I was heated and frantic. Little did I know, this small glitch in my life would be the beginning of the largest black fringe festival in the world!
After I was honored – instead of celebrating myself, every year, I had decided – because I have seen almost every fringe, art, and film festival in the world (thanks to my years of touring with Def Poetry live) I wanted to show the West End of Atlanta that we could have and do have the best of the best of all entertainment and art genres living and performing in our back yard, literally.
The first couple of years is when I began the development of each night that later become staples to this festival. Niggod Night – is dedicated to honoring our black men, Lillies and Libations is a night of honoring black women and our stories, and later I added nights of comedy, film and even later, I was excited that outside promoters wanted to add their Black Excellence to this week long celebration so I was able to add ‘Poetry vs. Hip-Hop’ created by Queen Sheba and Dj Knodat, as one of our most attended nights and a few plays, throughout the years. Each year the festival ends with community service and a cook-out that brings my entire neighborhood out.
Each year, I add a list of honorees that have contributed, in excellence, to the black culture. Below is an EXAMPLE of the 2019 schedule of events and honorees; which should only excited you to tell everyone about 2020. We have a new team, a new project manager, a new social media manager and a few strong production managers – I am over the moon about the resurgence. To be honest, this year, I put out a call for help and I waited to see who would show – you know that saying “God may not come when you call him but he’s always….” well, God is showing up even bigger in 2020.
Each year I think of a subtitle to give each festival it’s own identity, proof of life and motivational push, 2019 was “Heaven on Earth” and 2020 we are considering ‘Hustle and Motivate’ the name of Nipsey Hussles’, one of the black community’s greatest philosophers, songs. (Already past) 2019 Information: The City of Atlanta honors Tamika “Georgia Me” Harper by declaring MAY 4TH “TAMIKA HARPER DAY” GEORGIA ME PRESENTS…THE TAMIKA FESTIVAL XI…HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!
The QUEEN OF SPOKENWORD is doing it again! Internationally Known Award Winning POET/PERFORMER GEORGIA ME is on a mission to inspire, motivate and uplift. From admiring civil rights heroes to being asked to speak by Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and The Honorable Louis Farrakhan. From Booker T. Washington High Teaching Theatre on Whitehouse Dr to starring in a TONY AWARD WINNING BROADWAY show, Russell Simmons Presents “Def Poetry Jam on Broadway” @ 48th and 8th… Dreams were realized!
From being a fan of GOODIE MOB, and being compared to the beautiful Miss JILL SCOTT to hosting the GOODIE MOB reunion and touring with the LIVING LEGEND MISS JILL SCOTT. Visions fulfilled!! From being a counselor at Butler St. YMCA on the westside of ATLANTA, the so called H.O.O.D, to mentoring and ministering to many women, men, and children…OVER A MILLION LIVE. Goals accomplished!
Humbled and honored to present to you The 11th Annual TAMIKA FESTIVAL – HEAVEN ON EARTH: ALL GODS GO TO HEAVEN!!! THE WORLD’S LARGEST URBAN FRINGE!! The only all inclusive, unapologetic cultural celebration of BLACKNESS. The exalting of our triumphs despite our trials. The TAMIKA FESTIVAL is committed to loving the entire Nubian diaspora. Showcasing every aspect of our community: creation through the arts, financial wellness, service to mankind in righteous ways, health & holistic awareness, solidarity and the JOY of Judah!!!!
“When given the honor of being bestowed a day, May 4th as Tamika “Georgia Me” Harper Day, I wanted to make my day for everyone. To reveal the beauty that comes from our circumstances…our fortitude…our DESTINY. Withstanding all adversity to become the SOUL of the world.”
~Tamika “Georgia ME” Harper
With the hosting genius of Kalonji Changa, Ms. Dia, ABYSS, COLA RUM, Queen Sheba, ADAM’S RIB, and DICHOTOMY!! Festivities include 10 events of amazing performances, the best poets: BIG RUBE, I am tashajones, Ed Mabrey, M’RELD GREEN, Lady Tess, VERB Williams, Huggy Bear, Hiya Reality, Xpj7, Telesa Hines, Hakiym Sha’ir, Kendall Turner, Redstorm, NSPIRE, M.A, Grande Beauty, C Bone Jones, Punkin from Pluto, Lightning, Kiss the Poet, Red Writing Hood, Big Fitz, Divine Rhymez, Ashlee Haze, Buff, Glenwood, Moses West, Rewop, Yo Sista, BREEZE, Muva the Creator, Maha Adachi, and GHETTO WISDOM!
Vocalists on the verge or bubbling at the top: PHILLIPPIA, RAHBI RAW, KING MALACHI, JJ Dae, Trav Wright, Nicole Love, Nick Anderson.
The comedy genius of Rodney Perry, COCOA BROWN, Sweet Baby Kita, Tyler Does, Od Odell, Vanessa Fraction, FATTMAN DEEZY, Ms. Gin, Sunshine, Yohance, E Dutchess, and Chris “Set it Off” Jones!
The musical stylings of Rhoda G and Pariah the cellist!! The lyrics and rhythms of MC’s Boog Brown, TeaBag Da Herbalist, and the Igloo Crew, Lyrical Preacher, Jawz of Life, Paris Rose, King Jai and KGZ.
Trailblazing Dance Company MELODIC MOVEMENTS deliver awe inspiring pieces. TEAR IT UP SQUAD will be in the place! Live painting by Corey Whitehead! We have everything!!!! Including Universoul Circus Page One!!
Don’t miss tributes to ALGEBRA BLESSETT, THERESA THA SONGBIRD, MALIK YUSEF, DA POETRY LOUGE (Poetri, Shihan, Sekou, & Jamil), THE HARRIS FAMILY, SHANNON SHARPE, DOMINIQUE WILKINS, BYRON AMOS, MOJO, and JAY HART!! GUEST SURPRISE TRIBUTES! DON’T MISS A MOMENT!!!!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not – without major funding or sponsorship, the entire festival is financed via the gigs I have on my calendar leading up to the events, which means a lot of times I’m asking for favors – or even if people offer their professional services they don’t necessarily make this black fringe a priority because the financial motivation isn’t always there.
The first few years were highly attended, people were excited, poets, artists and fans traveled from all over the world and put the Tamika Festival on their perspective calendars, booked hotel rooms and Airbnb’s. Now in the later years, close friends will still travel but since I was doing most of the work by myself, I didn’t have the time, as my career grew to take on broad marketing and promotions to keep it at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Especially with social media as the main marketing strategy, I damn near need a clone. And now, for 2020 – God has sent me, at least two.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tamika Festival – what should we know?
THE TAMIKA FESTIVAL aims to fill in the gap of what’s missing, which is EDUTAINMENT. The Tamika Festival is a cultural celebration exhibiting various talents ranging from MUSIC to MAGIC to the MIGHTY SPOKEN WORD. Established, and underground stars & legends lend their gifts and time for the extravaganza. Ending with a WORLDWIDE VIRAL EVENT ‘SERVIN SATURDAY on May 4th.
In 2008, the beautiful sisters of Delta Sigma Theta chose Tamika “Georgia Me” Harper to be the recipient of the KUUMBA award. Joining great women like Pearl Cleage and Judith Jamison for her commitment to excellence and service to society. In turn, the cities of Atlanta, East Point, College Park, and Fulton County proclaimed May 4th TAMIKA “GEORGIA ME” HARPER DAY!! In true GeorgiaMe fashion, she chooses to serve others, highlight gifts, and enlighten her fellow Atlanteans. Thus, the TAMIKA FESTIVAL was born.
At the end of this year, leading up to the festival we are doing something fun and innovative for the community while raising much needed capital to keep the festival alive.
We are throwing four fun-ass fundraising events Dec-March and the first one kicks off with my birthday party powered by Lululemon – the athletic brand company out of Vancouver. There are 5 stores in the Atlanta area and my good friend, Queen Sheba is a two-term brand ambassador for the Ponce City Market store. An opportunity came up (which, I’m not clear on how it started or all the details – at the time I’m writing this the event is yet to happen on Dec 12th 7P at 595 North Ave! and Sheba refuses to tell me everything that is going on!) but what I can say is that during this first fundraiser/my official birthday party/magic moment by Lululemon – they have created a situation where they are throwing me a “surprise” birthday party and I’m taping my one hour network special for consideration on NETFLIX Hulu Disney Plus and my preference is HBO, where I spent 9 years of a major part of my career.
So Thursday, Dec 12th, 2019 7P doors 8P sharp showtime @595 North Event Center SW ATL please bring everyone from Voyage ATL, everyone who is reading this, all your friends, family and fans of a good-ass time out and celebrate my birthday, purchase a ticket and keep Tamika Festival alive in Atlanta!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
God first.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.georgiamethepoet.com
- Phone: 404-201-1582
- Email: thetamikafestival@gmail.com
- Instagram: @therealgeorgiame
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamikafestival/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/THEGEORGIAME
- Other: https://tamikafest12.eventbrite.com
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