You could argue that technically, every festival is an act of service to its respective communities — but few events pack as many mindful layers as Future Forward Festival. First launched in 2021 by Boston talent manager Robert “ROB.” Kelley-Morgan, the free fest returns this Saturday (September 21) to pack Harambee Park with live performances, art installations, and public health resources that “empower Boston’s vibrant Black-owned businesses, local artistry, and urban culture.”
This year’s edition of Future Forward Festival is a collaboration between Kelley-Morgan’s brand PUTINWORK and Dorchester Art Project, which recently became a worker-owned co-op.
“Rob has been an advocate for the arts in Boston for over a decade, and this festival is the culmination of his passion for music, culture, and community,” says HAAWWS, a Boston emcee who’s also Dorchester Art Project’s new co-owner and leader of Cultural Marketing & Partnerships. “Dorchester Art Project linked up with Rob through our shared dedication to using the arts as a tool for empowerment.”
Saturday’s festivities will feature sets from more than 30 local musicians who represent the full breadth of Boston’s presence in hip-hop, soul, and R&B; Oompa, kei, Gio Dee, Chelley Marie, Swooli, MARQUISE!, SeeFour, Eva Davenport, and HAAWWS himself (pictured above) are among the artists scheduled to perform across the festival’s two stages. The event’s well-rounded programming also includes live canvas art from over a dozen visual artists, a vendor village featuring local brands and artisans, and family-friendly games and photo booths. The event kicks off at noon and wraps around 8 p.m., offering guests a full day of accessible and all-ages entertainment.
But festival organizers have far more than fun in mind for Saturday. This weekend’s slate of free activities serves to uplift communities like Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury, where residents often endure socioeconomic challenges that complicate access to housing, employment, and affordable healthcare. These issues impact BIPOC communities in particular, says HAAWWS.
“These systemic issues disproportionately affect our communities and often limit opportunities for personal and economic growth,” he tells Vanyaland. “Through this festival, we aim to uplift these neighborhoods by using arts and culture as a vehicle for change. Rob’s personal experience — such as the preventable death of his uncle, Anthony Kelley, while in jail — highlights the disparities in healthcare and systemic neglect that are all too common. The festival is a direct response to these challenges, offering a platform where we can come together, not only to entertain but also to raise awareness and inspire action toward improving these conditions.”
Their mission is apparent in other key aspects of the festival, such as access to public health resources, educational tools about co-ops, and a remembrance tree that honors victims of gun violence.
“Our collaboration has been extremely intentional, as we work together to create a space that not only celebrates creative expression, but also addresses the real challenges facing our communities,” HAAWWS reflects.
Check out the full musical lineup and RSVP below.
FUTURE FORWARD FESTIVAL :: Saturday, September 21 at Harambee Park, 930 Blue Hill Ave. in Boston, MA :: Noom, all ages, free :: RSVP
