We Are One Festival

2016
REPORT

Better Together
 Better Together | 2

Executive Summary
In 20013, the Latino Festival after 13 years of success and the African/Caribbean Celebration after 12 consecutive years of
accomplishment came together to form the We Are One Festival. These steps were taken to continue the tradition of
summer ethnic festivals by bring together the experience, expertise and ability of the two communities. The event
provides opportunities for social interaction and cultural affirmation.

This year we enjoyed financial contributions from both corporate partners and community members, we received the gift
of volunteer hours in both the planning and on the day of the event. We were able to make this, and every, year’s event
possible by working together. We appreciate the support and participation of all members of the community and all
sectors of society.

The We Are One Festival relies on three primary sources of income: Corporate donations, vendor fees and community
contributions. Of these three sources, in 2016 corporate contributions comprise the largest amount followed by vendor
fees and community contributions for total revenue of $12,984 to cover total expenses of $10, 160.

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Contents

Executive Summary 2

History 3

We Are One Festival 3

Performers 4

Financial Report 5

Revenue 6

Expenses 6

Thank You 7
 Better Together | 3

History
In 2000 the Latino community with the leadership of Latinos Unidos de New Hampshire held the first Latino Festival in
Manchester. The event was the result of the efforts of many community residents, local agencies and socially responsible
corporate partners. The Latino community used this event to share the food, music and traditions of the various national,
cultural and ethnic Spanish speaking cultural groups in Manchester, NH. The festival was a great success from the
beginning.

In 2001 after seeing the great success of the Latino Festival, members of communities of African descent came together to
host an event that would highlight and showcase the cultures of the African continent and Diaspora. Ujima Collective was
asked to spearhead this effort. With the assistance of Latinos Unidos de New Hampshire the African/Caribbean
Celebration was founded. With the participation of national, cultural; and social groups from communities of African
descent and the help of corporations, social service agencies and community members they provided opportunities for
cultural affirmation and social interaction.

We Are One Festival ETHNIC FESTIVAL TIMELINE

In 2013, the Latino Festival after  2000

13 years of success and the Latinos Unidos de New Hampshire hosts the
African/Caribbean Celebration first annual Latino Festival in Manchester,
after 12 consecutive years of NH.
accomplishment came together
to form the We Are One  2001
Festival. These steps were taken Ujima Collective hosts the first annual
to continue the tradition of African/Caribbean Celebration.
summer ethnic festivals by bring
together the experience,  2014
expertise and ability of the two The first We Are One (WAO) Festival is
hosted by a joint planning committee from
communities. The event Latinos Unidos New Hampshire and Ujima
provides opportunities for social Collective.
interaction and cultural
affirmation.

Over time personal and

professional factors resulted in a
decline in volunteers for both
festivals. Also after the recession
of 2008 the corporate
community severely restricted
donations and sponsorships.
However working together the
two groups have been able to
maintain a tradition of summer
ethnic festivals.
 Better Together | 4

Performers
The performers at each We Are One Festival draw from the traditions of both communities. One festival ritual that is
designed to engage community members as participants rather than as observers is the parade of flags. Community
residents from nations across Latin America and throughout the African continent and African Diaspora. This display of
diversity is also a display of unity. It illustrates that we can be different and still united. We feel that our ability to be proud
of our unique cultures yet part of a shared culture makes us better together.

At this year’s festival we had a dynamic line up of both

community performers and professionals.

Akwaaba (Traditional West African Drum/Dance)

F.I.E.R.C.E. Dance Troupe (Hip Hop/Modern dance)

Glympse and Young Easy (Hip Hop/Spoken Word)

Group AAA (Traditional Rwanda/Burundi)

Imelda Juarez Thompson (Traditional Mexican)

James Carmona (Latin ballads)

Jhony-O Tu Caballero (Bachata/Caribbean sound)

Mystic Vibes (Reggae/Souk)

New England Pentecostal Fellowship Choir (Gospel)

NFBC Drummers (African drumming)

Notas de Fuego (Latin ballads/Bachata)

Rafael De La Cruz/Jorge H. Alicia (Merunge/Salsa)

Victoria Fatukasi (Hip Hop)

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Financial Report
The annual We Are One Festival and any similar event require significant resources from a number of different players. The
willingness of community members to donate their time, talent and treasure adds up to the ability to cover the expenses
and create the experience that brings us together as a community.

This year, like previous years, we were able to raise

enough resources to cover our financial expenses. To do We Are One Festival 2016
this required the combined efforts of many generous and
dedicated members of our community.
Income
This year we enjoyed financial contributions from both
Expenses
corporate partners and community members, we
received the gift of volunteer hours in both the planning $10,159.68
and on the day of the event. We were able to make this,
and every, year’s event possible by working together. We $12,984.00
appreciate the support and participation of all members
of the community and all sectors of society.

Recruitment for volunteers occurred through email, social

media platforms like Facebook and through the Ujima

Collective website. The We Are One Festival is a non- Figure 1 Income/Expenses 2016
partisan event. We do not endorse candidates, lobby for
legislation or promote any particular political perspective.

However we do support civic engagement and provide the City Clerk’s office an exhibit space at the event at no charge.
This is done to facilitate ease of access for voter registration. But there is no political preference promoted or political bias
presented by We Are One Festival staff or Manchester City Clerk employees. We do not allow candidates for political office
to use the festival as a platform. However, we do allow elected officials to participate in their elected position. We also
allow anyone including political organizations and political candidates to be vendors or exhibitors.

This year’s event produced 20% more income than expense as reflected in Figure 1. above. Revenues totaled almost
$13,000. This number includes almost $3,000 in pledged payments that have not been received but still considered
collectable. Expenses totaled approximately $10, 160. This also reflects approximately $240 in unpaid expenses that we
expect to honor when invoiced in the next few weeks. Even without the pledged revenue we would be able to cover all
expenses with the funds currently collected.

This year’s event expenses reflect an approximately 20% rise in revenues collected. There was also an increase in expenses
but not as much (15%). The expenses reflected in Figure 1 does not include the fiscal agent fee collected by Intown
Manchester. Since 2000, Intown Manchester has served as the fiscal agent for the Latino Festival since it was founded in
2000. When the decision was made to join forces for the We Are One Festival it was also decided to continue with Intown
Manchester as the fiscal agent.
 Better Together | 6

Revenue
The We Are One Festival relies on three
primary sources of income: Corporate
donations, vendor fees and community
Income sources
contributions. Of these three sources, Community
corporate contributions comprise the largest
amount followed by vendor fees and
community contributions. We have had
varying levels of support for each category Corporate
from year to year. This past year we raised
Vendor Vendor
less money in the community category. Corporate
However, we plan to increase our efforts at Community
outreach to community members and
provide additional opportunities for support
in the coming year.

Expenses

Efforts are made each year to control expenses. Our work is honored by performers who make in-kind contributions by
accepting lower than normal compensation. Also, the
expenses reflected in Figure 2 do not include the
expenses covered by various in-kind contributions. We Are One 2016 Festival
However, the expenses are organized into six expenses
categories: Administration; Performers; Marketing;
Staff; and Fundraising. $164.17
$1,433.99
Our highest expenses are costs related to performers Administration
which include performer stipends, the stage and sound $359.15 Performers
$2,000.00
engineering. The next highest expense area is Marketing
volunteer staff stipends which is testimony to how
$975.07 Vendors
much we do with so little. Next highest is $5,227.30
administration costs which include insurance, licenses Staff
and fees, park attendant and police detail. Those are Fundraising
the top three. Other expenses include marketing costs
like postage and printing, flyers and posters and other
marketing related expenses, fundraising expenses and vendor fee processing costs.
 Better Together | 7

Thank You
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this year a success. This includes the planning committee
and our major corporate donors, vendors and community contributors. This event is not possible without your help.

Corporate Sponsors Community Sponsors

Coca Cola Bottling of Northern New England IDT Domestic Telecom Inc. - Boss
Lincoln Financial Group IDT Domestic Telecom Inc. - TIGO
Manchester Radio Group Keene State College
NH Healthy Families Metro PC
St. Marys’ Bank New Hampshire Democratic Party
Walmart

We Are One Planning Committee Community Contributors

Sandra Almonte Rafael Caldron

Pete Escalera Daniel Goodenough

Brenda Lett Carl McCargo

Sudi-Njema Lett Thandi Soko-Stshbango

Woullard Lett Malia Till

Letizia Ortiz Meg & Ted Wilkinson

Sandra Plummer

Luis Sepulveda

Alejandro Urrutia

Isabelle Valmont

Shaunte Whitted

Tyrell Whitted

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