Black History Month is a time to honor leaders who not only understand where they come from, but who actively build bridges between communities, cultures, and generations. This year, Greet Magazine is proud to spotlight Simon Javan Okelo, a Mercer Island resident whose life’s work embodies service, creativity, and global impact.

Simon’s story begins in Manyatta, one of the largest informal settlements in Kisumu, Kenya, where he grew up witnessing both profound hardship and extraordinary resilience. Those early experiences shaped his commitment to community-centered leadership. 

From 2002 to 2010, Simon served as Field Director of Solace International and Co-Director of the Young Generation Centre, leading humanitarian projects across Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Liberia, and South Sudan. His work focused on education, youth development, and grassroots empowerment—efforts rooted in dignity and long-term impact rather than short-term aid.

At the same time, Simon was building another powerful platform: music and culture. As a DJ and producer, he founded One Vibe Africa and organized the Unite The People concerts in 2008 following Kenya’s post-election violence—using music as a tool for healing, unity, and dialogue.

Since moving to Mercer Island in 2010, Simon has continued to amplify African and Black voices locally and globally. He is the founder and producer of Madaraka Festival, an internationally recognized celebration of African culture, music, and innovation. The festival has been featured by CNN as part of African Avant-Garde, highlighting creators shaping the future of art and culture. In 2022, Madaraka Festival brought more than 7,000 community members to Seattle’s Waterfront at Pier 62, featuring over 30 Black-owned small businesses and organizations—an extraordinary example of cultural celebration driving economic opportunity.

Today, Simon leads One Vibe Media (OVM), a full-service media consultancy working alongside One Vibe Africa, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering empathy, joy, and community for the African diaspora and its allies. Through digital storytelling and event production, OVM has supported organizations such as the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, Mission Africa, and the Ignited Phoenix Project, strengthening community capacity across the region.

In 2026, Simon’s vision continues to expand. His major initiatives include Black The Gala on April 4 at The Triple Door in Seattle, a powerful evening honoring Black excellence, culture, and leadership; Game-Ready activations and pop-ups around the World Cup through Madaraka Festival; and a deeply personal call to action—encouraging Mercer Island residents to travel to Kenya to help build a community clinic and contribute through music education and cultural exchange.

Simon Javan Okelo reminds us that Black history is not only something we remember—it is something we actively build. His work shows what is possible when local leadership meets global purpose.

Call to Action:
Support Simon’s mission by donating, attending upcoming events, or reaching out directly to get involved. Whether through travel, education, or community support, your participation helps turn culture into impact—and impact into lasting change.