“If we want to survive a world that is quickly becoming entranced in divisions, we have to find joy in coexistence with others,” reads the Lets Get Fr.ee ethos statement. For its first annual two-day “Conscious Carnival” in Queens, Lets Get Fr.ee has put together a diverse lineup of artists that acknowledges the identities and cultures it hopes to empower (big names like Missy Elliott, Ozuna, and Anderson .Paak are featured). Under the motto “F**k Racism. Elevate Equity,” the festival aims to cultivate a community of progressive people of color. It also speaks to young adults passionate about shifting the culture of the entertainment industry so that it more frequently centers Black, Brown, Asian/Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ creators. Founded by Afro-Punk co-founder Matthew Morgan, Lets Get Fr.ee is billed not only as a music festival, but a radical movement, touting its status as the largest diversity-focused and purpose-driven festival in the country. —Nyla Gilstrap