The term "African Diaspora" refers to dispersion through the slave trade of African peoples and cultures. In its second year, the Festival's "African Diaspora" program continues to emphasize the strengths of one of America's most vital ethnic groups, the Black Americans. The organizing principle is to document those aspects of culture that link Black Americans to Africa, the mother continent, via the Caribbean Islands and Latin America.

Artists and craftspeople were invited to this Festival from the African nation of Ghana, the Caribbean nations of Jamaica and Haiti, and from cities across the United States.

Presentations represent basic societal activities--worship, family, and trade. Worship activities by all participants take place on an altar setting that is a prototype of a rural U.S. church. Trade activities take place in a typical Caribbean market place. An African house, the traditional center of family activities, becomes the setting for small group presentations which allow for intimate interchange between participants and visitors.