The Original Collard Greens Cultural Festival

The Original Collard Greens Cultural Festival is a vibrant 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to honoring heritage, promoting wellness, and cultivating unity through culture, education, and service. For over sixteen years, we have been a joyful expression of culture, community, and creativity, gathering families, local businesses, and artists to celebrate one of the South’s most cherished culinary and cultural staples, the collard green.

Founded with a mission to uplift and empower families through cultural preservation and sustainable living, our work extends beyond celebration. We focus year round on health and wellness through healthy eating, nutritional education, and lifestyle awareness that strengthens families and inspires intergenerational connection.

We have shared our mission with thousands of Georgians and have inspired similar festivals in Tampa, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Collard greens, known for sustaining Africans across the diaspora, serve as the heart of our festival, symbolizing resilience, nourishment, and cultural pride. With a healthy twist, we honor tradition while encouraging modern wellness practices rooted in community care.

Our festival features signature spaces such as the Wellness Pavilion, Sustainability Pavilion, and Sproutland, each designed to promote holistic well being. The Wellness Pavilion connects guests with local practitioners, mental health educators, and fitness advocates. The Sustainability Pavilion encourages eco conscious living, renewable energy use, and sustainable food practices. Sproutland, our youth zone, nurtures positive living in children through creative play, art, storytelling, drumming, and workshops that inspire confidence and curiosity.

A highlight of our event is the Collard Greens Cook Off Competition, where chefs and home cooks showcase their best recipes in celebration of Southern flavor and culinary excellence. The main stage also features dynamic live performances, cultural demonstrations, and artists from across the region, all creating a rich, immersive experience that uplifts both spirit and soul.

Beyond the festival, our nonprofit carries its mission forward through community programs such as our Kwanzaa Celebration, Toys for Tots partnership, and youth empowerment projects. We host volunteer opportunities, appreciation dinners, and educational initiatives that support leadership development, service, and community wellness.

Every donation received through Georgia Gives or PayPal directly fuels our year round wellness and cultural programs. Your support helps us provide workshops, expand outreach to families in need, and continue inspiring healthy, sustainable lifestyles through culturally rooted education. Together, we are preserving tradition while building healthier, more connected communities.

As we prepare for our 16th Annual Original Collard Greens Cultural Festival, we invite you to stand with us in this mission. With your support, we can continue growing our impact, one family, one lesson, and one collard green at a time.