San Diego’s vibrant music and cultural landscape owes a significant debt to Makeda “Dread” Cheatom, a pioneering entrepreneur and activist who, for over three decades, has championed reggae music and the African Diaspora within the city. Cheatom’s influence extends far beyond the airwaves and concert stages. she is the founder of the WorldBeat Cultural Center, a cornerstone of San Diego’s Balboa Park, and a tireless advocate for cultural understanding and unity through the arts. Her work in promoting reggae music in San Diego began in the 1980s and continues to resonate today.
Cheatom’s journey began not in music promotion, but in culinary arts. In 1971, she founded Prophet International Vegetarian Restaurant, a first-of-its-kind establishment in San Diego that attracted a diverse clientele, including celebrities like George Harrison, Gloria Swanson, Dick Van Dyke, Dyan Cannon, and Dick Gregory, according to her Wikipedia entry. This early venture demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and her ability to create spaces that celebrated alternative cultures. However, it was her passion for reggae, sparked by a friendship with Bob Marley, that would define her lasting legacy.
From Reggae Concerts to a Cultural Hub
In 1980, Cheatom began organizing reggae concerts, a bold move at a time when the genre was largely absent from San Diego’s music scene. Her connection with Bob Marley proved pivotal, leading to the creation of annual Bob Marley Day Festival concerts that attracted prominent reggae artists. Over the years, she produced a remarkable 39 annual reggae festivals, solidifying her role as a key figure in bringing the genre to a wider audience. She too founded her own radio indicate, “Reggae Makossa,” which has been broadcast on Fusion Radio 102.5 FM for over 25 years, and a television show, “WorldBeat Live,” aired on numerous community television networks throughout San Diego County, as noted by the WorldBeat Cultural Center’s website.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated space to celebrate and preserve diverse cultures, Cheatom founded the WorldBeat Cultural Center in 1993. Initially located in an annex in Old Town and San Diego, the center moved to its current location in Balboa Park in 1995, as detailed on the WorldBeat Cultural Center’s About page. The center has since become a vibrant hub for music, dance, art, and cultural exchange, hosting hundreds of events and artists over the years. The center’s mission is to promote, preserve, and celebrate the African Diaspora & Indigenous cultures of the world, striving to promote peace within the San Diego community.
Beyond Music: Community Activism and Recognition
Cheatom’s contributions extend beyond music and the arts. She is also the creator of the Children’s EthnoBotany Peace Garden and co-founder of Casa del Tunel in Tijuana, Mexico. Her dedication to community service has been widely recognized, including being named a Cultural Competent Bridge Builder by the Women’s Museum of California and inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2012, according to the WorldBeat Cultural Center’s website. She has also received the Channel 10 Leadership Award, accolades from Project Concern International, the Palava Tree for Arts & Culture, and the Water For Africa Foundation, among others.
Cheatom’s work isn’t limited to established institutions. She actively seeks to foster community engagement, as evidenced by a recent event hosted by the WorldBeat Cultural Center: Batizado 2025, a celebration of African Brazilian heritage and the tradition of Capoeira, led by Mestre Preto Velho (Dennis Newsome) and Grand Mestre Touro, as reported in a recent blog post on the WorldBeat Cultural Center website. Another recent event, a birdwatching outing with SoCal Bird Nerds, demonstrates the center’s commitment to connecting with diverse community groups.
Makeda Cheatom’s impact on San Diego’s cultural landscape is undeniable. Her tireless efforts to promote reggae music, create a space for cultural exchange, and advocate for community unity have left an enduring legacy. As the WorldBeat Cultural Center continues to thrive, and Cheatom remains actively involved in its programming, her vision of a more inclusive and harmonious San Diego continues to inspire.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center has several upcoming events, including “Birds, Culture, and the Freedom of Belonging: A Celebration with Makeda & Marilú” on February 26th. The center’s ongoing commitment to cultural programming suggests that Cheatom’s influence will continue to shape San Diego’s artistic and social fabric for years to come. Share your thoughts on Makeda Cheatom’s legacy in the comments below.
