Who we are
As a child Askari~ would wake up on Saturday mornings watching & listening in amazement to her talented mother an educator singing with passion to those Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Sam Cook, Billy Eckstine records. Then on Monday hear the joys and struggles of education. From there I guess it was just a natural progression of a rooted journey...love of community, youth, family/elders, music, education and the arts.
For over 20 plus years Askari Sowonde, founder of Askari Sowonde~ Productions ‘ASP~’ has worked in communities, the educational & non-profit industry bringing music and the arts together through concerts, festivals and educational forums to enhance and enrich her community. She has had the blessing of working with local artist and booking many of the greats such as The Whispers, Regina Bell, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E, Howard Hewett, David Peaston, Tom “Funkin’ For Jamaica” Browne, the legendary Bill Cosby, Norman Connors, Faye Carol, Rita Coolidge, Kim Waters to name a few.
ASP~ is an ‘ol skool one stop event planner, producer & photographer that prides herself on quality events, attention to creativity and detail, on time delivery, and believes that your word is your bond.
Because of that belief she has won the Vallejo Commission on Culture & the Vallejo Commission of the Arts Awards. She has received accolades from the Native American Study Program,/Vallejo Inter-tribal Council/Pow Wow, the City of Vallejo's Unity Day- Entertainment Coordinator, the Wednesday Night Celebrations, Kwanzaa & the Human Relations Affirmative Action Commission City of Richmond’s Multi-cultural Festival just to name a few. She is a person that truly believes that by celebrating diversity ensures that ALL cultures are reached. Educating from the young to our elders, we do our part in helping to eliminate racism.......Ashe’
Photo by Askari~