Media Advisory: Arts Fest Preview
Ohio Is My Second Country
Salif Sarr, Shema Asifiwe, Ohio Immigrant Alliance to Preview Concert and Coloring Book Before Columbus Arts Festival
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81416201852
Columbus - On Friday April 24, at 3:30pm, Mauritanian-American pop star Salif Sarr and Cincinnati-based artist Shema Asifiwe will join the Ohio Immigrant Alliance for a virtual preview of their 2026 Columbus Arts Festival event, “Ohio Is My Second Country.”
The Zoom-based preview is designed to prepare members of the media, other content creators, and supporters and friends for OIA’s Columbus Arts Festival appearance on June 13. That day, OIA will take center stage to present a concert with Salif Sarr, and two new books by Shema Asifiwe and Demba Ndiath.
WHO: Shema Asifiwe, visual artist;Salif Sarr, Mauritanian-American singer; Demba Ndiath, AdvocacyDirector, Ohio Immigrant Alliance; Lynn Tramonte, ExecutiveDirector, OIA (moderator)
WHAT: Zoom preview of “Ohio Is My Second Country” at the Columbus Arts Festival, for press and other content creators, activists, and friends
WHEN: Friday, April 24, 3:30pm
WHERE: Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81416201852
MORE DETAILS
In addition to hearing from Salif and Shema, OIA’s Advocacy Director Demba Ndiath will preview his book, “From Welcome to Deportation: A Story of West African Migrants Who Crossed the U.S./Mexico Border,” which will also be published this year.
Read about the forthcoming coloring book from Shema Asifiwe here, and download the free coloring page, “Unite.”
Get details for the June 13 concert with Salif Sarrhere. Purchase concert t-shirts in advance here. The arts festival event will start promptly at 3pm; organizers suggest arriving early.
This is the fourth year the Ohio Immigrant Alliance is bringing immigrant artists to the Columbus Arts Festival. Last year, OIA hosted “Pulaagam: A Celebration of Fulani Heritage” and in 2024, West African drummers Tam Tam Magic.
