Afro Park Fest: FOUNDER-WILL COOK BUILDING COMMUNITY

22/7/2026

Afro Park Fest Music event bring culture to london during the summer, soedited and socultured

SøEdited Team
Article: Kellie Neilson
SøEditor-in-Chief: Chris Saint Sims
SøDeputy-Editor: Savannah Barthorpe
Photography: Yomi Kadejo

Some festivals entertain. Others leave a lasting mark on the communities around them. Afro Park Fest aims to do the latter.

Founder Will Cook created the event with a simple but powerful idea: bring African and Caribbean cultures together under one roof, rather than celebrating them separately.

"It's bringing everyone together," he says. "I kept thinking, why can't we all unite? Why can't we exhibit our culture together? Because we're all one people."
In a world where culture is often divided into neat categories, it's a quietly radical vision.

Cook's path to festival founder wasn't conventional. After leaving school, he built businesses across Milton Keynes, from logistics to salons but owning a festival had always been a dream.

"This has always been on my bucket list. When the opportunity came, I said, 'Yep, I'm going to take it.'"

Afro Park Fest Second year going the Afro music together

The first year wasn't glamorous. With no sponsorship, Afro Park Fest was entirely self-funded.

"People think it's easy. They think you're making loads of money. I work 24/7, like everyone else, and I invest everything into this dream."

Behind the music is months of planning, problem-solving and persistence and sheer hard work most festival-goers never see.

What makes Afro Park Fest stand out is its inclusivity. Rather than centring one nationality, it celebrates the diversity of the African diaspora through music, dance, food and culture.

"It isn't just about the artists. The dancers could be from Congo and it's about bringing all of us together."

That philosophy extends beyond heritage.
"I'm building it to connect cultures, not skin colour. It's about the people."

Legacy is what drives him. Holding his eldest son for the first time changed his perspective.

"I wanted him to grow up and say, 'This is my dad. My dad built this.'"
He's also learned that lasting success isn't a solo effort.

"Great things are built with a great team."

Proof rents at Afro Park Fest Featured in SoEdited

Afro Park Fest Festival reviewed in SOEdited magazine as culturally important

Looking ahead, Cook's ambitions are bold: one day, he wants Afro Park Fest at Milton Keynes' National Bowl.

"An Afro Glastonbury? Yes—that's the vision."

Whether it reaches that stage or not, and im certain it will, Cook hopes the festival is remembered for something bigger than entertainment.

"If Afro Park Fest becomes a place where cultures connect, friendships are made and communities come together, then I've achieved exactly what I set out to do."

In an increasingly divided world, Afro Park Fest offers something refreshingly simple: proof that culture can unite rather than separate and that community is something worth building. A truly remarkable achievement and one to watch.

Afro Park Fest Organizer and brain child, interview SOEdited

[email protected]
Instagram @afroparkfest

9 Comments

Abigail Okai-Quaye

23/7/2026 08:01:04 am

My dear nephew,

Reading this filled my heart with so much pride. What you are building is far bigger than a festival—you are creating a legacy of unity, hope, and community.

Your vision of bringing African and Caribbean cultures together under one roof is inspiring. In a world where people are often divided, you have chosen to build bridges, and that is something truly special. I admire your courage, your determination, and the sacrifices you have made to turn a dream into reality. The countless hours, hard work, and personal investment may not always be seen by others, but God sees them all.

As I read your story, I was reminded of what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a growth mindset—the belief that success comes through learning, perseverance, and embracing challenges rather than giving up when obstacles arise. Your journey reflects this beautifully. You didn’t wait for perfect conditions or guaranteed success; you kept learning, adapting, and pressing forward. As Dweck writes in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, “Becoming is better than being.” Your story is a wonderful example of that principle in action.

I also thought of Angela Duckworth’s work on grit—the combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Your commitment to investing in your dream, even without sponsorship, shows the kind of perseverance that inspires others.

I especially loved your words about wanting your son to one day say, “This is my dad. My dad built this.” That touched my heart because you are not only building a successful event—you are building a legacy that your children and generations to come can be proud of.

I have no doubt that God has placed this vision in your heart for a purpose. As His Word says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3). I pray that He will continue to enlarge your territory, surround you with the right people, provide every resource you need, and give you favour beyond your expectations.

I believe this is only the beginning. Today it’s Afro Park Fest, and tomorrow, by God’s grace, it will reach even greater heights—including the National Bowl and beyond. May your vision continue to unite people, celebrate culture, and bring communities together.

Congratulations on what you have achieved so far. We are incredibly proud of you, and we will continue to support you and pray that God blesses the work of your hands. Keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep building. The best is yet to come.

With much love and admiration,

Auntie ❤️

Godwin Ameyaw (Co Founder of Flight School x Chamber Gang) link

27/7/2026 11:11:35 am

I attended Afro Park Fest this Saturday (25th August) just gone , and this was my second year going. It was a great experience, and it was especially inspiring to see how much the event has grown in just one year. Their first attempt was already impressive, and it’s even more encouraging to see what they’ve been able to build on since then.

I wanted to leave a positive review because of the hard work and dedication that clearly went into bringing it all together. It’s always uplifting to see that level of vision and commitment.

I really hope we continue to have more events like this in Milton Keynes, because it gives the city something to be proud of and something that brings people together. It’s great to see another fellow business owner creating something so valuable for the community.

The Vibe Exchange link

27/7/2026 12:51:52 pm

I had such a great day at Afro Park Fest on Saturday. I bumped into so many people I hadn’t seen in years, and it was so nice seeing everyone together, just enjoying ourselves.

I loved that we got to immerse ourselves in Black music, support Black businesses and celebrate the culture all in one place. As Milton Keynes continues to grow, I think events like this are so important because they create a real sense of community and remind us how powerful it is when we come together.

A huge thank you to Will and everyone who put their time, energy and heart into making Afro Park happen. You can tell how much work goes into creating something like this. It made me feel really proud to see Afro Park continuing to grow, and I can’t wait to see it go from strength to strength.

Albert Wong

27/7/2026 01:00:44 pm

First time at an Afro event. What a day! Great organisation. Great Management. Staff and Marshalls all on point! Great vibes!
Glad to be a part of this event and looking forward to the next!

Lex

27/7/2026 03:21:43 pm

It’s been amazing watching AfroParkFest grow from an idea into something that brings so many people together. We’ve had the privilege of seeing William start this journey from the very beginning, and watching his vision, determination, and relentless work ethic turn it into a reality has been inspiring.

What stands out most is how driven you are. You never lost sight of the bigger picture, even when building something like this couldn’t have been easy. Every year, AfroParkFest gets bigger and better because of the passion and purpose you pour into it.

One day, I genuinely believe artists will be reaching out and asking if they can perform at AfroParkFest, because you’re building something with real impact and a reputation people will want to be part of. That’s what happens when you stay consistent, believe in your vision, and keep showing up.

So proud of everything you’ve achieved so far, William. This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see just how far AfroParkFest goes. Keep dreaming big—we’re all rooting for you! 👏🏾🔥

Laura

27/7/2026 05:21:30 pm

I had an amazing time at Afrofest. The vibes were there, the weather was great! I bumped into so many old faces, it was a lovely reunion. The acts exceeded my expectations and the sound quality was phenomenal. I will definitely be attendance at the next event. A massive well done to Will and the Afropark team. Wishing you all the success in the future

Sabrina Rochester

27/7/2026 05:45:13 pm

Will Cook, founder of AfroParkFest in Milton Keynes, is more than a friend, he is my brother. Watching his vision become a powerful celebration of African and Caribbean culture has been truly inspiring. His passion, resilience and heart have brought people together and created something that will leave a lasting legacy. I’m incredibly proud of you, my brother. Keep soaring, your light continues to inspire us all.

Your journey is a reminder that purpose, faith and perseverance can turn a dream into something that impacts thousands of lives. Thank you for leading with integrity, uplifting our community and showing what is possible when you believe in your vision. I’m honoured to walk this journey alongside you, and I know the best is still to come.

Lamina

29/7/2026 08:59:29 pm

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate my brother and lifelong friend, Will, on everything he has achieved.

Will has been my childhood friend for as long as I can remember, and in my eyes, he's always been a true go-getter. He's one of those people you can put in any situation or scenario, and he'll always find a way to make the best of it and come out on top.

So when he told me about his vision of hosting a festival in Milton Keynes with A-list artists performing, I wasn't surprised. And when I saw it all come together, I still wasn't surprised. That's just who he is.

I've always said that out of all our childhood friends, Will is the glue that brings everyone together. He has a unique ability to unite people in a positive, peaceful environment and make things happen. He's so well respected and loved because of his genuine spirit and the person he truly is.

This was my first Afropark Fest, and it definitely won't be my last. It's officially become an annual event that's now in my calendar.

Keep striving, keep achieving, and keep inspiring. Continue putting God first, and everything else will fall into place.

Proud of you, my brother. Love always.

Peace. ✌🏾

Ricky & Jessica

3/8/2026 04:39:50 pm

My wife and I drove all the way from Amsterdam to make it to Afro Fest a couple of weeks ago, and honestly, it was worth every mile. The vibe was warm and welcoming, full of good energy from start to finish. Great music, amazing food vendors, and cultural performances that made it feel like a real celebration of community. We loved seeing so many backgrounds represented. Big respect to the organizers. Already looking forward to next year’s edition.

Afro Park Fest: FOUNDER-WILL COOK BUILDING COMMUNITY

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