AfroFest & Mayor Back The Childish! Anti-knife crime campaign!

A disabled, multicultural family music group used music and performance to raise awareness of knife crime during African, Caribbean's black cultural inaugural special event marking Northampton's first Afro Fest!

The Childish! were kindly invited to perform their anti-knife crime campaign song 'This has to stop!' as part of their campaign to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of knife crime, as they travel around the UK. Afro Fest Founder Banke Adetumbi said "It was fantastic to have such an amazing song and performers as part of our enormous efforts to get all nationalities and cultures; especially African and Caribbean's 'to have a go' at visiting such a welcoming theatre like the Royal & Derngate".

Their appearance formed part of the group’s wider mission to encourage safer communities across the UK, with their campaign supporting the installation of bleed control cabinets and kits in areas devastatingly affected by knife crime.

Afro Fest's first ever event, featured performances by various artists during the evening with a special performance by Banke herself with the storytelling world premiere of Inua Ellams‘ epic new play Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, and had awe-inspiring, tasting opportunities for anyone visiting the main foyer and corridors of Northampton's famous Royal & Derngate Theatre during the day.

Story teller Nafisa Adeola Yemiton said "Afro Fest came and conquered, bringing everyone together to have such an amazing happy time with the Mayor and members of the cast, crew and performers receiving a standing ovation and picture taking at the end, beautiful; it's rumored that it may become a regular thing, we sure all hope so".