Oshunbumi Fernandez

Biography

Celebration,
Passion and Persistence….. are the
words that come to mind when describing the life of Oshunbumi  Fernandez,
CEO of  ODUNDE, Inc. 
  
  ODUNDE, Inc. is a world-renowned cultural organization whose mission is to
serve the need for cultural enrichment in the African American community. The
organization is known for its “staple event” -  the  ODUNDE festival
 which attracts up to 500,000 attendees, covers 12-city blocks,  has
over 100 arts & craft/ food vendors and has  two stages of live
entertainment. The festival is the largest African-American street festival in
the country. The festival is  known throughout the  world as one of
the original models for African-American festivals, hosting many internationally
known African and Caribbean performers, dignitaries,  folk artists and
cultural leaders.

Ms. Fernandez was named by The Philadelphia Tribune as one of the  TOP 10
People Under 40 to watch in 2011 and was recently named one of Philadelphia's
most influential African American leaders of 2012. Her
education includes a BA in Biology from Temple University and a MBA from LaSalle
University. 

  Her dedication to cultural awareness and expression has dominated her
 professional life.  For more than a decade, she worked for the City
of Philadelphia in the  Department of Recreation which allowed her to make
an impact on the lives of the children in her  community.  She was
 responsible for creating and implementing a modeling program for girls to
instill self-esteem, self-awareness and self-discipline.  She  has
 been invited  to lecture on her personal achievements and the
accomplishments of ODUNDE by regional and national
 organizations.

 
She is the owner of BUMI PRODUCTIONS an event planning company whose clients’
list includes: PECO JAZZ, SUNOCO WELCOME AMERICA, LFGA & associates,
UNIVERSAL companies and many more.


  In April 2013, she was a member of Governor Tom Corbett's Trade Mission delegation to Brazil and Chile. She is a member of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs, a member of the  Point Grays Promise Neighborhood committee, a Board
Member of the Christian Street YMCA, an Advisory Board member for the University
of Pennsylvania Museum  – Imagine Africa Exhibit and was a member of Mayor
John Street’s Transitional Team for Arts and Culture.  She is the mother of
two sons.