Columbus Neighborhood Celebrates Diversity at Unity Festival

When Jenny Leal hears people dismiss Northland, she knows they're missing something incredible happening in her northeast Columbus neighborhood.

The co-founder of Elevate Northland is chairing the community's ninth annual Unity Festival on September 19, determined to show central Ohio what makes this 25-square-mile area so special. Leal wants outsiders to see Northland the way she does: as a tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and neighbors who genuinely care about each other.

"There's just so many different foods, there's so many different kinds of people you get to know, and really good people who really care about Northland and call it home," Leal said.

The festival runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the North YMCA on Sandalwood Place. Situated between Worthington and New Albany, Northland is home to thousands of Somali and Nepali Bhutanese refugees alongside long-time residents creating a uniquely diverse community.

This year's celebration features performances from the Wuyue Dance Group, Bankema African Dance Academy, and Nepali Cultural Dance Club. Local singer-songwriter Benjamin Marshall will also take the stage.

Food vendors are bringing Haitian cuisine from Bibi's Patties, plus an array of baked goods, jams, and sweet treats. The festival gives residents a chance to embrace their unique cultures while sharing their identities and traditions with neighbors through entertainment, food, and local vendors.

The Ripple Effect

The festival does more than counter negative perceptions. It's become an annual tradition that brings out the best in Northland's do-it-yourself spirit.

"The community really comes together and gets things done when we need to get things done in this area," Leal explained. Year after year, she chairs the committee because residents have come to anticipate and cherish this unique celebration.

The event welcomes sponsors and volunteers through Elevate Northland's website. For Leal, the hard work is worth it to showcase a community bursting with potential and pride.

Sometimes the best way to change a story is to let people experience the truth for themselves.