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FusionFest Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to celebrate the people and the many different cultures that make Central Florida awesome by showcasing talents, sharing stories, driving innovation and building community based on respect and understanding.
FusionFest is a project of the Orange County Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.
It all began when Guenet & Sam Roberts of the Caribbean American Passport and Yves Bouele of the African Leaders Council approached Terry Olson about creating some kind of international event. While there are dozens of festivals centered around one heritage or another in our community, we thought, What if we all came together at the same time?
In November of 2016, about 40 people from various heritages, including co-founder Thali Sugisawa, gathered to brainstorm the best way to share our heritages. In the following month, a Steering Committee began to take shape and has been meeting monthly ever since.
Some of the early stepping stones to the festival were bimonthly “Gathering of Nations” events with a few people from every heritage we could find in Central Florida (currently we have more than 140 heritages identified). Each of the Gatherings was focused on a particular aspect of culture – Food, Dance, Music, Clothing, Games, Literature. These explorations helped us envision what a “fusion” festival would look like – a place where we honored our heritages while celebrating how we influence each other as we shape our own unique identity as Central Floridians.
Award of Excellence at the 2019 Golden Brick Awards by the Orlando Economic Partnership
Community Outreach Program at the 2020 SunSational Awards by the Florida Festivals and Events Association
Best Sponsor Partnership, Promotional Mailer and Instagram at the 2021 SunSational Awards by the Florida Festivals and Events Association
Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation at the 2021 National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Awards
Award in the Arts Category at the 2021 Golden Brick Awards for by the Orlando Economic Partnership
1st Place- Community Outreach Program 2024 SunSational Awards by the Florida Festivals and Events Association
2nd Place- Children’s Programming 2024 SunSational Awards by the Florida Festivals and Events Association
2nd Place- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative 2024 SunSational Awards by the Florida Festivals and Events Association
OUR MISSION: To celebrate the people and the many different cultures that make Central Florida awesome by showcasing talents, sharing stories, driving innovation and building community based on respect and understanding.
WHAT WE DO: We organize weekly and monthly, both virtual and in-person, events that keep the community engaged and connected to the cultural diversity in Central Florida. We participate in parades and create dining experiences and workshops from January to November. Our signature event on Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving Day in Downtown Orlando is a free, two-day, festival that draws people from more than 110 different cultures to experience music, dance, food, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Keep an eye on our social media and website to join in one (or several) of the events we host or partner with:
Diversitastic! Dining Experience – Monthly
Diverse Orange Talk Show – Weekly after June 1, 2024
MYgration Films Watch Party – Monthly
FusionFest Parade Unit – Varies
Two-Day Festival – Annual
WHEN IS THE FREE FESTIVAL: Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving Day.
FESTIVAL HOURS: Saturday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM & Sunday Noon – 6:00 PM
WHAT WILL YOU FIND AT THE FESTIVAL:
Opening Spectacle & Diversitastic! Choir
Citizenship Ceremony
Kaleidoscope – The Wonders of Creative Collaboration
International Food Court & Marketplace
Stages featuring music, dance, spoken word, cosplay and fashion
Film Station screening the MYgration Films in partnership with Global Peace Film Festival
Art Gallery
Family Village
Interactive Experiences & Art Classes
Cardboard Village of the World
Cultural Displays
Exciting Prizes
Global Street Dance Party
Scavenger Hunt
Country Meet-Up & Group Photo
WHERE: At the Seneff Arts Plaza at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando.
WHO IS BEHIND IT: FusionFest Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a project of the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs office. Since 2016 a Steering Committee of 40 members with heritages from around the globe meets monthly to shape the project.
SPELLING: FusionFest is one-word with two capital Fs.
HASHTAGS: #FusionFest #FusionFestOrlando #ICanBeMeHere #ProudToShowMyColors
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook.com/FusionFestOrlando & Instagram.com/FusionFestOrlando
Maria Fernanda Saavedra, Board President – Huellas de Colombia Folkdances
Bob Allen – The Bob Allen Family Foundation
Safaa Barakat – Islamic Society of Central Florida
Yves Bouele – African Leaders Council
Kymbat Iglikova – Premium Properties R.E Service
Mai-Huong Nguyen – Asia Trend Inc
Joe Sarrubbo – Valencia College
Ishaan Vadhera – Vadela Co.
Shawn Welcome – Polis Institute
The Steering Committee is responsible for helping shape and grow FusionFest by contributing with ideas and serving as an ambassador within their circle and community. Meetings happen every 2nd Friday of the month via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Patrick Odoy – Kenya
Olabayo Ogurinola – Nigeria/Yoruba
Yves Bouele – Cameroon
Mimi Hwang – China
Jeonggyu An – Korea
Priya Persaud – India
Mai Nguyen – Vietnam
Yves Bouele – Cameroon
Logan Anderson – US French
Chris Leggett – Canada
K Charles Phillips – US-New Mexico/Border Cultures
Steve Schneider – US-German
Guenet Roberts – Guyana
Shawn Welcome – Guyana
Aleksandra Vargas – Russia/Dominican Republic
Albert Heisler – Romania
Bob Kovacevich – Serbia
Eva Krzewinski – Poland
Betsy Schreyer – Switzerland
Tisse Mallon – Mexico
Nadia Garzon – Colombia
Silvia Huddleston – Peru
Lorena Camacho – Venezuela
Dina Aurouri – Palestine
Scott Goldberg – Jewish
Bob Kovacevich – Serbia
Eva Krzewinski – Poland
Betsy Schreyer – Switzerland
Teuruhei Buchin – Pacific Islands
Zion Kalaniu’i Cruz- Pacific Islands
EIN: 85-2245857
Charitable Solicitation Registration #CH64442
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling Toll-Free 800-435-7352 within the State. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.