The CFO and Creator of AfroFuture, Ken Agyapong Jr., Is a Brother of Phi Beta Sigma

When it comes to creating platforms that celebrate the depth and brilliance of the African diaspora, Ken Agyapong Jr. doesn’t just show up, he builds them. As a Ghanaian American entrepreneur and the CFO and Co-Creator of AfroFuture Festival, Kenny has spent the last decade turning cultural vision into tangible impact. From grassroots event organizing in New York City to leading one of the most influential cultural festivals on the continent, his path has been defined by purpose, partnership, and the power of brotherhood.

For Kenny, that foundation was laid through his membership in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as a Spring 2011 initiate of the Omicron Alpha Chapter at Utica College (now Utica University).

His first introduction to Sigma wasn’t at a probate or step show. It was a moment of curiosity, sparked by leadership he observed firsthand with Abdul Karim Abdullah, who is the co-founder and CEO of AfroFuture when he was in undergrad.

“The first time I visited Syracuse University for a concert, I noticed a group of young men who had put the entire event together. I was genuinely impressed by their organization, presence, and leadership.

Later that summer, I saw Abdul at his parents’ restaurant — Accra Restaurant in the Bronx. He was wearing a jacket with some Greek letters on it. I asked him, ‘What do those letters mean?’
He smiled and simply said, ‘Do your research.’
Coming from a large family of mostly women, I always valued the idea of brotherhood — having someone who could relate, listen, and give honest advice.

As I did my research, I discovered that Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was more than just letters on a jacket. It was a legacy. A bond. A true family.
Since then, I’ve met countless Sigma brothers who have helped guide, shape, and support me into becoming the man I am today.”

That brotherhood laid the foundation for Kenny’s approach to leadership, community, and culture. He began organizing major events from his dorm room at Utica College and later earned his MBA from Johnson & Wales University. In 2014, he moved to Ghana to serve as Director of Net2TV, a subsidiary of his family’s Kencity Group.

But the real shift came when his longtime friend and now frat brother Abdul Karim Abdullah approached him with an idea, to launch a cultural festival in Ghana. Together, they would bring that idea to life. After two years of research and planning, Afrochella was born.

In 2017, they launched the first festival at the Polo Club in Accra. They expected 2,500 people. Over 4,000 showed up. What followed was a cultural explosion. Year after year, the festival grew, spotlighting African creativity, elevating emerging artists, investing in local communities, and attracting global brands. The 2019 festival alone led to a 16% increase in Ghana’s tourism and a 3.1% GDP surge in Q4, undeniable proof of cultural power turning into economic force.

Rebranded in 2022 as AfroFuture Festival, the event is now one of the most celebrated cultural experiences on the continent and in the diaspora. AfroFuture isn’t just about music or art. It’s about reclaiming narrative, building bridges, and defining what the future looks like when Africa leads the conversation.

Kenny and Abdul first connected in New York through the Afrobeats scene — organizing events that united the diaspora. They shared a sense of responsibility to give African creatives the global spotlight they deserved. A trip to Ghana in 2014 cemented the vision: Accra’s youth culture was thriving, but there was no cultural anchor during Detty December that captured it all. Afrochella, now AfroFuture, became that anchor.

Now, they’re bringing the festival across the Atlantic, to Detroit.

“Bringing AfroFuture to Detroit isn’t just about launching a festival, it’s about building a cultural movement that lives in the city long before the first stage is set,” said Abdul Karim Abdullah, CEO & Co-Founder of AfroFuture. “We’re building excitement from the ground up and our countdown events are a reflection of our commitment to engaging with the community, celebrating the diaspora, and creating spaces where creativity, connection, and culture thrive.”

On August 16–17, 2025, AfroFuture Detroit will land at Bedrock’s Douglass Site with a dynamic lineup including Davido, Kaytranada, Ludmilla, Gims, Flavour, Lojay, and Tee Grizzley, plus curated sets from DJs like DBN Gogo and Juls, hosts like DJBJ 3525 and Lana LaDonna, and vibes from brands like Jerk X Jollof, Obi’s House, and Toasted Life.

This isn’t just a festival, it’s a full-circle moment.

Two Sigmas, driven by legacy, culture, and a belief in Black excellence, built a movement that now spans continents. What started in a New York City restaurant and a college dorm has become a powerful bridge connecting Africa to the diaspora.

AfroFuture is a festival with Black fraternity and sorority culture in its DNA. In addition to Abdul and Kenny’s Sigma bond, the leadership team for AfroFuture also includes Akosua Ayim, Chief Operations Officer, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mighty Rho Chapter, Fall ’08 at Columbia University.

With Detroit as its next stage, AfroFuture continues to build spaces where the diaspora connects, creates, and celebrates on its own terms.

Click here to learn more about the festival and to buy tickets.