Harry Belafonte Launches Social Justice Music Festival

Harry Belafonte will launch a racial and social justice festival in October with the inaugural event featuring appearances and performances from actors Chris Rock and Jesse Williams and musicians John Legend and Common.

Belafonte announced Thursday that Sankofa.org, his social justice organization, will put on the “Many Rivers to Cross” music and arts festival on Oct. 1-2 in the Atlanta suburb of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. The event will promote advocacy and awareness around urgent human rights issues.

Carlos Santana, Dave Matthews, Public Enemy, Danny Glover, Dr. Cornel West, Michelle Alexander and Estelle will also participate in the two-day festival. More performers and entertainers will be announced at a later date.

Photo: Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman/AP, file

Giving the keynote address as the Univ. of Mississippi marks the 50th anniversary of its integration.

Tickets for the festival go on sale July 29. Belafonte founded Sankofa.org in 2013.