By Tori McKinney

After my five years of production, and four year reign as the Tinner Hill Music Festival’s Executive Producer, I am ready to pass the torch. Reflecting on the past five years, I am truly grateful for the opportunity and to have worked with the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. My hard work and dedication to the Festival since my first year of production in 2019 are exemplary of my steadfast devotion to the Foundation’s mission and have made me a leader in the preservation and promotion of the African American legacy, all while growing the Music Festival to what it is today and increasing awareness of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. My participation in the Festival does not end here: my Rock Star Beer Garden, established in 2011, lives on!

I wish to express my resounding gratitude to the Festival Key Krewe, Volunteers, Sponsors, Donors, guests and music lovers who played a part in making my tenure as Executive Producer an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Reflecting on the past five years of music, dancing, and love, I am proud of the work I have dedicated to the Foundation, and look forward to providing guidance to those taking over the reins of production for the next Tinner Hill Music Festival on June 8, 2024!

The 2024 Tinner Hill Music Festival will be home to a new Executive Producer and select Festival Key Krewe. With the help of returning Key Krewe, the Foundation welcomes their new leaders. Drum roll, please…

Executive Producer, La’Verne Washington, laverne.thmf@gmail.com

Often referred to as “our fearless leader,” the role of Executive Producer is not one to be taken lightly. The Foundation is thankful for La’Verne, who is jumping in with both feet and hitting the ground running on the production of the 30th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival. La’Verne will act as the aforementioned ‘fearless leader,’ overseeing all aspects of the planning and production of the upcoming festival, and will be the go-to resource for all things Tinner Hill Music Festival.

Sponsor Krewe Chief, Michael Ankuma, mka595@me.com

A familiar and well known face of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation’s board of directors, Michael Ankuma has assumed the crucial role of Sponsor Krewe Chief. Those who want to join the group of amazing sponsors and experience the added benefits that accompany a charitable contribution to the Tinner Heritage Foundation & Festival can reach out to Michael. The Foundation has deep appreciation and gratitude for all of those who generously donate and sponsor the Music Festival, and Michael looks forward to continuing to build relationships with all sponsors — past and future.

Volunteer Krewe Chief, Nutan Chada, nchada1@gmail.com

Calling all volunteers … Nutan Chada, newly appointed Volunteer Krewe Chief, is ready to get organized and fill the lineup of Festival Volunteers! Nutan looks forward to continuing a relationship with past volunteers, as well as form new relationships with anyone interested in getting involved. The Foundation relies on helpful, friendly, and hard-working volunteers to assist with production before, during, and after the Festival each year. Volunteers are credited as the backbone of the Tinner Hill Music Festival and directly contribute to making it an epic success each year. Sign-up is easy! Head over to TinnerHill.org and click the “Volunteer for Festival” button at the top of the page. Nutan, along with the entire Foundation, thank you in advance for your support.

While my volunteer Krewe and I have taken the Festival to a whole new level through our involvement over the past six years, I am looking forward to the new additions to the Festival Key Krewe carrying on and expanding it even further. Be on the lookout for exciting announcements including the reveal of this year’s headliners! Festival news and announcements will be posted in the Falls Church News-Press, as well as on social media: @TinnerHillMusicFestival. You are certain to be wowed! Be sure to get your early bird tickets at TinnerHill.org, and Let’s Hope, Let’s Love, Let’s Dance at the 30th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival on June 8, 2024!

With Great Gratitude,

Tori McKinney