Volunteer Event Coordinator for Sounds of Africa 4.0

Volunteer Event Coordinator for Sounds of Africa 4.0

For the past four years, the Washington West African Center has organized the Sounds of Africa Festival, a vibrant cultural event that showcases African culture through music, fashion, food, and community engagement. The festival has grown into one of the most anticipated cultural gatherings in Snohomish County.

The 2026 edition (Sounds of Africa 4.0) will take place on August 15, 2026, at Garfield Park in Everett.

As the festival continues to grow, the center is introducing a more structured planning approach. In previous years, a central committee managed all of the work. Moving forward, we aim to establish specialized departments that will handle different aspects of the event more efficiently.

To support this structure, we are seeking a Volunteer Event Coordinator who will work closely with the executive leadership of the center to coordinate all departments involved in the festival planning and execution.

Role Overview

The Volunteer Event Coordinator will serve as the central organizer and facilitator of the festival planning process. Their primary role will be to help establish functional departments, coordinate their activities, and ensure that all parts of the event are aligned and moving forward on schedule.

The coordinator will work closely with the leadership and executive assistants of the center to ensure effective communication, accountability, and collaboration among all teams.

Key Responsibilities

The Event Coordinator will help organize the festival structure into departments, recruit volunteers into those teams, and ensure that each department operates effectively.

Responsibilities may include:

• Establishing and coordinating departmental teams
• Recruiting and organizing volunteers into appropriate roles
• Working with vendors, artists, performers, and cultural groups
• Coordinating the fashion show and performance segments
• Managing logistics and venue preparation
• Supporting vendor registration and vendor communication
• Coordinating outreach and promotion
• Working with security teams and safety planning
• Ensuring communication between all departments
• Tracking planning timelines and major event milestones

Recommended Festival Departments

To improve coordination and efficiency, the Event Coordinator will help organize volunteers into departments such as:

1. Logistics & Operations Department

Responsible for venue setup, equipment, tents, seating, staging, and overall site coordination.

1. Vendor Management Department

Handles vendor registration, vendor communication, booth assignments, and vendor support.

1. Media & Communications Department

Responsible for social media, photography, video coverage, promotional materials, and media relations.

1. Outreach & Community Engagement Department

Connects with community organizations, cultural groups, and local partners to increase participation and awareness.

1. Fashion Show & Cultural Programming Department

Coordinates the fashion show, cultural presentations, performances, and stage scheduling.

1. Volunteer Coordination Department

Supports volunteer recruitment, scheduling, orientation, and supervision.

1. Security & Safety Coordination Department

Works with local authorities and event staff to ensure safety, crowd management, and emergency preparedness.

1. Hospitality & Guest Relations Department

Supports performers, artists, special guests, and dignitaries.

1. Transportation & Equipment Coordination

Assists with transport of equipment, instruments, and materials needed for the festival.

Support and Resources

The selected volunteer will receive:

• Training and guidance from the leadership of the center
• Access to materials and documentation from previous festivals
• Administrative support from the executive assistants
• Ongoing mentorship throughout the planning process

Ideal Candidate

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Enjoys organizing large events
• Has strong leadership and coordination skills
• Is comfortable working with volunteers and community partners
• Has an interest in African culture and community engagement
• Is able to communicate effectively with multiple teams

How to Apply

Interested individuals can contact the Washington West African Center by:

📧 info@wawaac.org

📞 425-758-3269

Join us in helping make Sounds of Africa 4.0 a powerful celebration of African culture