Board Statement on Planning the Future of Concert of Colors
The following statement was issued by the Concert of Colors Board of Directors regarding the future planning and continued stewardship of the organization following the passing of founder Ismael Ahmed.
Board Statement on Planning the Future of Concert of Colors
The Concert of Colors free music festival on July 15-19, 2026, will honor the legacy of Ismael Ahmed, our founder and guiding light since 1993. With Ismael’s recent passing, we, the board of directors, have taken responsibility for leading the Concert of Colors organization on behalf of the diverse communities it aims to serve. The 2026 festival will be a fitting tribute to Ismael, and our neighborhood programs will continue to empower and support Detroit’s diverse communities.
With the generous support of numerous individuals, foundations, partners, and state and federal agencies, and through the hard work of a talented team of producers and administrators, all 2026 program commitments, including the 2026 festival and our neighborhood programs, will be delivered with characteristic professionalism and the spirit of inclusion and community that has characterized our programs for over 30 years.
Beyond meeting these short-term requirements, the board of directors will undertake a focused strategic planning effort immediately after the 2026 festival to assess strategic directions for the organization and to chart a path forward. This will be an open-ended inquiry into how Concert of Colors and its partners can best support the ecosystem of artists, culture bearers, and communities we aim to serve, so that their artistic practices and cultural traditions can thrive.
In undertaking this planning work, we’ll be reaching out to the many individuals who’ve participated in past Concert of Colors programs, including artists and supporters, as well as members of the Cultural Exchange Network, to seek input on core issues of leadership, programming, and capitalization. We look forward to a vigorous planning process.
As most are aware, this is a challenging time for many of us who’ve devoted time, effort, and funding to lift up the many voices and artistic traditions of the mosaic of cultures that make up our community here in S.E. Michigan. Our commitment to a more pluralistic and interconnected cultural sector is unwavering.
Concert of Colors Board of Directors
Kenneth C. Fischer, Chair
Gretchen Gonzales Davidson, Vice Chair
Margaret King Ahmed, Secretary
Ahmad Chebbani, Treasurer and Executive Director
Alan Brown
Omari Rush
Mary Zatina