SAGINAW, MI – Alexis S. Thomas is far from an “elder,” still on the younger side of 50, but she is on her way to joining the ranks.
Her status as president of the Saginaw African Cultural Festival Committee begins this fall, following Ralph Martin, who has stepped down. John Turner is vice-president, a role Alexis previously filled.
The daughter of Marshall and Yvonne Thomas first experienced the former Black Arts Festival as a child when her father took her along to Morley School Park during the 1980s. She met the founders, with the CAC’s Omowale Art Smith and Morley Principal Charles McNair among the leaders. She cherished the art displays and stage entertainment, but she also headed for the cultural roundtable discussions in the old building, sometimes as the only youngster present.
On top of that, Marshall Thomas was coaching Saginaw High basketball at the time, and after games on Fridays, when bedtime could be compromised, she would join her father at the old Texan restaurant on Holland Avenue while the elders held forth in review sessions.
“I just liked to sit there and listen to them, learning from whatever they were talking about,” Alexis says.
She remained a big Saginaw High booster until the final games last March, three decades after graduating as a Trojans’ track star in the sprints. She later attended Eastern Michigan University before she wrapped up her college degree at SVSU. She is a senior human resources consultant for Morley companies and works in real estate part-time.
From 2009 to 2016, she was a Saginaw Board of Education member and served as president. On the Nov. 5 ballot, she is unopposed to become a Delta College trustee.
Beyond vice-president, her other top African Festival role has been publicity chairwoman, which she will continue. The festival has no paid staff, and her aim is for volunteers to work together on projects and highlights that will draw public recognition. A recent example is the new summer K-8 Freedom Schools
“Our goal is to make the festival better each year,” is the simple summary from Alexis Thomas.
Preparations are year-round, and anyone interested in taking part may send contact info to the Saginaw African Cultural Festival’s Facebook page, or contact Alexis or any festival supporter personally.
The free family event is in its 57th year, which organizers have researched as the nation’s longest-running, on the second weekend in August. The 2025 dates are Aug. 8-10, and the theme of “Greatness” already is in place.
