“MAKE LOVE HAPPEN!”

As Juneteenth is quickly approaching, I decided to feature Jomo Akono. I have known him for over 15 years. He is affectionately known as Ras Jomo by his community. My fondest memories

are of him drumming for Kwanzaa with all his children at the African American Cultural Center for Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee. The energy in the room was always at 100, and it would always be difficult to leave the space afterward!! And when we finally did, there would be the wonderful spread of authentic Jamaican Food that his family would prepare. It would occur at an after-event party at what is now known as “R Healin’ Center” on Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY.

Another lasting memory was witnessing how he connected with youth while teaching them how to drum at classes that my nephew attended. It took place in a back room of a hair salon on Main Street.

t near Fillmore Avenue. Great times for sure!  Jomo Akono has been the Vice President of the Juneteenth Festival, Sankofa Days Committee in Buffalo, NY, for quite some time. He is also known for helping with the Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee and has been instrumental in getting artists and performers from Jamaica to perform at Kwanzaa and Juneteenth. Jomo and others helped establish the Marcus Garvey “CommUniversity,” a ‘Back to School readiness program sponsored for 2 weeks before school starts back up every fall. The goal is to help youth transition back into the school mindset and decrease the summer learning loss gap. While at the same time educating our youth with Knowledge of Self and Honoring the Giants Who’s Shoulders We Stand On!   

Jomo Akono is also a carpenter by trade since 2007. He is currently a Council Representative for the Carpenters Local Union #276. In this position, he has helped increase awareness of the potential of Carpentry as a lucrative career choice for youth, including young ladies of Western New York, that may not otherwise pursue this as a career path. In 2020, he was honored for being a defender of diversity and an advocate for inclusion by the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. He was an advocate for classes forming in the community that helped youth pass the testing portion required to be part of the Carpenter’s Union. He was instrumental in advocating that this trade’s classes take place in the community instead of youth going out of the community to learn about the business.

Beyond all this, he is also a radio personality and evening jock named DJ Ras Jomo. He has a show every Sunday night from 6 – 9 PM on WUFO called “Access To A-Free-Ka,” he has been on air since 2007. You can hear the Best of Reggae and AfroBeats – and as he puts it – experience “Your Weekly Few Hours Holiday!” Using this platform, he has invited community members to travel to Jamaica every January for their Rebel Salute concerts. While in Jamaica, people visit schools and community organizations. He also broadcasts The Access to A-Freeka show LIVE from Jamaica!

Follow him on social media and listen on Sunday evenings, as he always tells the audience: “Make Love Happen!