Saturday may have been the 16th year that ShoutFest has gone down, but it was only the second time that Aiken nonprofit Umoja Village has hosted it. ShoutFest is the CSRA’s largest gospel festival and previously was put on by a local gospel radio station before that station was sold last year. At which point, Umoja Village took it up and rolled it into its Unity Weekend-an extended weekend centered on unity and inclusion across all cultures.

For the second year, Umoja Village will hold its Unity Weekend. This year's Unity Weekend will be Oct. 18-21, and will feature a lecture on racial harmony, ShoutFest UnityFest and a golf tournament. The kickoff event, One Love, One Heart For Reconciliation, will kick-off Unity Weekend at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in the auditorium of the Emanuel-McClain Women and Children's Health Center.

“Shout out to Pastor Karlton L. Howard and KD Mcclak for such wonderful hospitality. If you missed this morning's broadcast, the rebroadcast airs tonight 10 p.m. on MeTV. To God be the glory!” -Donna Moore Wesby

SALLEY, S.C. (WJBF) — Juneteenth celebrations are continuing in Aiken. The non-profit Umoja Village is partnering with Eudora Wildlife Safari Park. Umoja Village is marking Juneteenth alongside its fourth anniversary. “What I wanted to do was to have a celebration of life, celebration of culture, and of the environment,” Umoja Village co-founder Donna Wesby said. “We’ve been able to bring together about 132 full busloads as well as cars.”

Umoja Village received $1,000 to help fund Project Bounce Back, which identifies and assists people who need a second chance, specifically those who are facing homelessness.

Some local organizations have received a helping hand from Aiken's Umoja Village. Umoja Village recently awarded a total of $30,000 to 10 community organizations. Co-founder Donna Wesby said the selected projects represent initiatives providing empowerment to underrepresented and underserved Aiken County communities. “Umoja Village is pleased to announce recipients of its 2024 Round 1 Umoja Village Funding Allocation grants, which total $30,000.00 -- bringing the grand total of over $65,000.00 since beginning the funding process in 2021.” -Donna Moore Wesby

Donna Moore Wesby said if it weren’t for God, she wouldn’t be living out her purpose in serving the community. “I truly believe the reason that God allowed me is to do exactly what I am doing at this very moment,” she said as tears fell down her face.

“Lift every voice and sing” and “We shall overcome” rang through Aiken’s Lessie Price Senior and Youth Center Sunday afternoon as Aiken’s Umoja Village celebrated the beginning of Black History Month.  Around 300 people sang with Chris Parker and Friends as they performed both songs during the third annual Umoja Village Community Celebration of Black History Month. 

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Umoja Village brought the Aiken community together for its 3rd Annual Black History Month community celebration. The night was filled with music, dancing, and awards, but most importantly a message for those young and old on standing up for black history month: if not now, when? Umoja village broke in the first weekend of black history month by acknowledging community leaders with food, soul, a good time, and staying focused on the path ahead.

The Umoja Village 501(c)(3) organization proudly presents its wall calendar series entitled “Umoja Village Celebrates Black Excellence,” which is a 12-month wall calendar that features Blacks and African Americans making positive contributions within primarily Aiken County and surrounding towns.

An Aiken icon and civil rights leader’s legacy will always live on with a sign that bears his name. “This is a historic moment in the city of Aiken,” Richard Johnson Jr. said. Johnson was honored and recognized for his efforts with a sign at Umoja Village’s new location at 831 Hayne Ave. on Friday. The new location will be called the Richard Johnson Jr. Resource Center.

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - In this season of giving, there’s a group in Aiken that’s all about people helping people. Umoja means unity. Donna Moore Wesby is the CEO and founder of the Umoja Village in Aiken. She’s our guest this morning to talk one on one with Richard Rogers.

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — A groundbreaking moment for Aiken as a local non-profit, Umoja Village, unveils its new hub. The center is now named after Mr. Richard Johnson, Jr.; one of Aiken’s oldest residents for his quiet yet impactful community contributions.

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Umoja Village in Aiken celebrated the opening of their new space designated to helping the community on Friday. Their new building is named after Richard Johnson Jr., who is a civil rights activist and war veteran. He is also an Umoja Village board member and was surprised by the dedication of the building to him.

Founded by Donald and Donna Wesby on June 19, 2020, Umoja Village is a South Carolina-based charitable organization encompassing a strategic alliance of Blacks and African Americans united with a common goal: Unifying underserved populations and the entire community to bring about positive and sustainable change. 

While holding back tears, Christopher Grissom said his prayers have been answered since he started going to a job training program focused on renewable energy. “I am just grateful that I am here and learning every day,” he said. Grissom is one of many scholars who have benefited from the EMERGE and Solar United National Job Training Program. The program, which is due to a partnership between Umoja Village, The Imani Group and SUN, provides paid training for careers in the renewable energy sector.

In 2022, the National Solar Jobs Census reported more than 5,000 positions filled in the state, and that number is expected to rise 10 percent by the end of this year. Across the river in Aiken, two non-profits are introducing a first-of-its-kind job training program called the Solar United National Job Force Training Program.

The non-profit organization is all set to kick off this exciting weekend on Saturday, October 21st, with ShoutFest, the largest outdoor free Gospel festival in the CSRA. The event will take place at Beverly D. Clyburn Generations Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Imani Group and Umoja Village have collaborated with Solar United National LLC., to present the EMERGE and SUN Job Training Program.

Aiken, South Carolina, is gearing up for a weekend like no other as the inaugural “Unity Weekend” approaches. The event promises a series of activities that will not only entertain but also educate and empower attendees.

Unity, history and culture will be in the air with an upcoming festival in Aiken. Umoja Village will hold its first Unity Weekend Oct. 21-23 at various locations in Aiken.

The candidates for the District 8 seat on Aiken County Council discussed their motivations for seeking office during a town hall meeting Monday at Second Baptist Church in Aiken.

Our CEO, Donna Moore Wesby, is featured in yet another publication this month! Check out the newest edition of Urban Pro Weekly where she talks Umoja Village, entrepreneurship, and more! We're thankful for all the work that she's doing, and we look forward to what God has in store.

Have you checked out the new publication Speak Augusta yet? Our co-founder and CEO, Donna Moore Wesby shared a few words in an article discussing the recent format changes to our beloved WAAW Shout 94.7 FM radio.

Affordable housing, fentanyl deaths, fights at schools and growth on Aiken’s northside were among topics discussed during a community town hall at a local church. Umoja Village and the Aiken County Branch of the NAACP held a community town hall Tuesday with elected Black leaders in Aiken to discuss issues facing local residents.

The Umoja Village nonprofit organization is offering its inaugural wall calendar titled “Umoja Village Celebrates Black Excellence.” The 12-month calendar features Black and African American residents making positive contributions within Aiken County and the Central Savannah River Area.

Umoja Village held a Black History Month Community Celebration on Thursday at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center. The celebration sought to inform, educate and bring together people in Aiken County.

Umoja Village unveiled its new resource center during a dedication ceremony Thursday night. The nonprofit aims to unite Black and African American clubs, organizations, businesses, churches and individuals to help the Black community better utilize and leverage resources.