Divine Media Group, in partnership with the City of Compton Office of Mayor Emma Sharif, launched the inaugural Compton Fest on Saturday, August 24. Held on the Compton College campus, the event celebrated pride and culture within the Compton community.
The festival enjoyed sunny skies with a temperature high of 80-degree fahrenheit, attracting over 2,000 attendees. Participants described the festival as exciting and peaceful, fostering a strong sense of love, connection, and community.
Residents from Compton and neighboring areas engaged in various activities, including curated panels, music performances, and activations from industry leaders like Code Next, a Google initiative, Delete The Divide, Disney’s FX Networks, and the Onyx Collective.
Notable attendees included Sheryl Lee Ralph, star of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” radio personality Tammi Mac, and rapper Jason Martin, all contributing to the festival’s lively atmosphere.
A highlight was the inaugural honoree ceremony. Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan received the Icon Award, media executive William “Fuzzy” West was honored with the Impact Award, and legendary rapper Yolanda “Yoyo” Whitaker was presented with the Legends Award. Additionally, community organizations Alma Farms, Color Compton, 1 Shine Youth Program, and the Compton Country Club Initiative were recognized for their contributions, highlighting the event’s deep ties to local activism.
Beyond music and entertainment, the festival offered critical opportunities and resources to individuals and families. One of the festival’s success stories was the clothing brand Compton Isn’t Dangerous, which reported its first-ever product sellout at the Compton Fest Vendor Row, powered by Carol H. Williams Advertising. The event also featured a highly trafficked “Resource Row,” where students and community members connected with local organizations and brands.
This area provided opportunities for jobs, access to aid, industry club memberships, and essential health services—including mental and women’s health services—designed to stimulate economic growth in a city where the median household income is significantly lower than the state average. Health disparities are also pronounced, with Compton’s women facing higher-than-average rates of breast cancer and limited access to preventative care, an issue the festival hopes to help address.
“The goal of Compton Fest is to help bring equitable access to the Compton community by leveraging our cultural capital to create economic advancement through civic engagement,” explained DeMira Pierre, Compton Fest founder and executive producer, a proud Compton native with a career-spanning film, TV, media, and technology.
The festival’s reach extended beyond local attendees, with visitors traveling from as far as Germany. The look and feel of the festival was the result of a collaborative local effort, including The Makers Hub playing a key role in creating designs that adorned the experience.
Divine Media Group, along with Compton Fest Co-Chairs Ravyn Neal, Esq., Alvin Addo, Kelly Marble, David Cobert Jr, James Drake, and Carol Hood, hope to bring this event back in 2025.
For updates, follow Compton Fest’s Instagram page, @ComptonFest.
