Patrick Woodtor, the Mastermind Behind Chicago’s African Festival of the Arts

By: Charles S. Mombo
@charlessmombo, @burnedbrass

Article sponsored by: Chicago-based SEO and Social Media Marketing Consultants

Patrick Woodtor, the mastermind behind Chicago’s African Festival of the Arts

As the African Festival of the Arts prepares to celebrate another anniversary, one can’t help but reflect on its 22 years of outstanding service to the City of Chicago; especially in bridging the divide between the peoples of the African Diaspora. They have also done an excellent job by being instrumental in connecting communities, serving as a bridge builder and bringing people of different racial backgrounds together in a peaceful, relaxing and entertaining atmosphere.

Held annually, the four days Labor Days weekend event is Chicago’s largest neighborhood-festival. The festival boasts more than 300,000 plus attendees.

As the saying goes, behind every successful brainchild is a mastermind. Patrick Saingbey K. Woodtor is the mastermind behind the brainchild – African Festival of the Arts. Woodtor is so popular in Chicago that some have jokingly referred to him as Chicago's second original resident; Jean Baptiste Point du Sable being the first.

Born and raised in Monrovia, Liberia, Woodtor’s holds a Bachelor in Economics from the University of Liberia and a Master in Transportation from Northwestern University. He has held several leadership positions with Monrovia’s Ministry of Public Works, the Monrovia Transit Authority, and the Liberian Wood Management Corporation, among others.

A prominent business leader in Chicago, Woodtor repeatedly has been named Minority Businessman of the Week by WGN-TV’s Minority Business Report. His commitment to the arts, culture, heritage and traditions of Africa has spanned decades. In 1989, he founded and served as Executive Producer for the African Festival of the Arts here in Chicago and, in 1995 he began his tenure as head of Africa International House USA, Inc.

His efforts on behalf of African arts have been chronicled in dozens of publications and news media, including Afrique News Magazine, African Sun, N’digo, ChocolateCity, Chicago Defender, The Chicago Reader, and WGN-TVs Around Town.

This year Festival, Labor Day Weekend, September 2-5, 2011 is in Washington Park-5100 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL. 60637. This year’s extensive lineup includes, India Arie, Mary Mary, Kefee, Bootsy Collins, Chico DeBarge, Al B. Sure, Jon B and Christopher Williams.