CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER CELEBRATES KWANZAA

            Before a standing-room only crowd, Friends of the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library’s African American Cultural Resource Center hosted a “Celebration of Family, Community and Culture” at their Annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Thursday, December 12^th held at the library.  There was singing, spoken word, dance and drumming in the African American tradition.

            “Summoning the Ancestors and Asking Elders’ Permission” to begin was given by Glenda Williams, mistress of ceremonies.  Drumming was provided by Maceo and Son and the Libation was given by David Wilkins and Booker High School students Raul Rubio and Maurice Brown.  Dr. Marsha Kindall-Smith led Lift Every Voice and Sing followed by the reason we celebrate Kwanzaa by Lovette W. Harper.  The symbols and principles of Kwanzaa were given by Karren Daniels and Booker students Jermaya Howard, Tiana Reed and Timothy Wiseman.

Dr. Judith Samuels led the “Gullah Geechee” Ring Shout Dance, which represents a style of dance and music found in the African slave communities on plantations.  The farewell statement was given by Dr. Lonnetta Gaines.  Others on program were Erin Clay, Library Manager, Shelia Atkins and Leslie Porter.

            Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture and celebration of life held each year from December 26^th to January 1^st.  It was introduced by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. Dr. Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies, created this festival for Afro-Americans as a response to the commercialism of Christmas.