TORONTO, ON — Gold Coast Collective, a Pan-African coalition led by Ghanaian-Canadian creatives, curators, and entrepreneurs, in collaboration with R.I.S.E. Edutainment, proudly presents:
THE GLOBAL KICKOFF: Pan-African Festival & Showcase taking place June 15 and 16, 2026 at Sankofa Square in downtown Toronto.
As the world makes its way to Toronto for the 2026 World Cup, THE GLOBAL KICKOFF was created to celebrate community, culture, movement, and connection by transforming Sankofa Square into a vibrant gathering space rooted in diaspora pride and collective celebration.
Located at one of Canada’s busiest intersections, with more than 150,000 people moving through the space daily, Sankofa Square serves as a powerful symbolic home for THE GLOBAL KICKOFF.
The name “Sankofa,” rooted in Ghanaian philosophy, represents the importance of learning from the past to move forward together, reflecting the spirit of cultural exchange, memory, and global connection at the heart of the festival.
Blending music, dance, poetry, football culture, food, entrepreneurship, wellness, and Afro-diasporic storytelling, the two-day experience invites communities from across the city and beyond to connect through live performances, DJs, marketplace vendors, sponsored giveaways, cultural activations, and shared celebration.
Featured artists and cultural leaders include Randell Adjei, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate; Esie Mensah, award-winning choreographer and founder of Black Stars Collective; award-winning international MC Emcee Ebone; internationally acclaimed spoken word artist Eddie Lartey and global hip-hop artist Zakisha Brown.
The event will also feature Afro-urban artist Slim Flex; internationally recognized recording artist Friyie; DJs Revy B, Womba Groove, Donet, and DJ Shorty, alongside a dynamic lineup of artists, performers, and cultural innovators from across the Pan-African diaspora.
Day 1 on June 15 focuses on live performances, spoken word, DJs, dance showcases, African drumming, cultural activations, marketplace vendors, food experiences, and community gathering throughout Sankofa Square.
Day 2 on June 16 transforms the space into a large-scale Senegal vs. France watch party experience blending football culture with DJs, food vendors, marketplace activations, fitness and wellness experiences, and community celebration.
Community activations throughout the weekend include collaborations with PRESIQ, Pops Punch, Afrodisapora Pulse, Ultra Black Running Club, Sankofa Square, Black Stars Dance Collective, R.I.S.E. Edutainment, and other community partners.
“Experiencing the World Cup here in Toronto is not just about the game of football, it’s a celebration of our cultural landscape and community pride from every diaspora that’s represented in this great city, ” says Akua Mensah, Event Co-Director.
“We want people from all backgrounds to feel connected to the music, the stories, the movement, the marketplace, and to each other, ” says Randell Adjei, Event Co-Director.
THE GLOBAL KICKOFF aims to create an accessible gathering space where art, movement, entrepreneurship, wellness, storytelling, and celebration intersect.
The event is family-friendly, free, and open to the public.
THE GLOBAL KICKOFF is made possible through funding support from the City of Toronto and with sponsorship support from Nobellum, Black Innovation Zone and the Federation of Black Canadians.
The festival is further strengthened through collaborations with community organizations, artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders committed to celebrating the richness of Pan-African cultures and fostering meaningful community connection.
For further enquiries, contact:
elle de Lyon
Director of Projects & Strategy, R.I.S.E. Edutainment
E: elle@riseedutainment.com
W: www.riseedutainment.com
