BOMJA, a Minneapolis collective founded by Kojo Frimpong, is creating intentional space for African diaspora communities to connect across cultural lines through music, rhythm and shared experience, with two sold-out events at the Cabooze and a third coming June 12.
The word hits differently when you know what it means. BOMJA, pronounced BOHM-jah, is born from two languages and two corners of the African diaspora: “Nkabom,” the Twi word from Ghana meaning unity, and “Pamoja,” the Swahili word from East Africa meaning together. Blended into one, the name carries a mission: bring people together through rhythm, culture and shared space.
That mission came to life on Jan. 30 at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, when BOMJA held its first event. Less than three months later, on April 10, the collective returned to the same stage, and the room made clear that something real is being built here.
Walking into the Cabooze that Friday night felt like stepping into a living, breathing mosaic of Black culture. Durags and snapbacks moved alongside fur coats and leopard print. Box braids and locs filled the dance floor. Afrobeats, amapiano and hip-hop poured from a rotating lineup of DJs: DJ McShellen, DJ Guy, DJ MKZ, DJ D-Waynne and DJ MWAHHH, each one feeding the energy of a crowd that didn’t need much convincing to move. The night was hosted by up-and-coming Afrobeats artist OC Mack and KP, who kept the vibe grounded and celebratory all at once. Dance circles formed and dissolved and formed again. Nobody was a stranger for long.
This is exactly what Kojo Frimpong, CEO and founder of BOMJA, set out to create, not by accident, but by design…