More than 100 people turned up at Washington Elementary School to celebrate Kwanzaa with the West Orange African Heritage Organization (WOAHO).
Dec. 27 was the second day – out of seven days – of Kwanzaa, which is held to celebrate history, community, and culture within the Black community.
The Nguzo Saba – the seven principles of Kwanzaa – were acknowledged and honored. These principles are umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
The celebration had vendors, food, crafts, poetry, music, and dancing.
Yvonne Nambe-Roach, president WOAHO, offered greetings to the community. “Living out our purpose takes self-determination,” she said. “Unity must be maintained. Asanti and welcome.”
Dorothy Sanders gave a brief history of Kwanzaa.
“Sixty years ago, Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa to reaffirm our culture,” she said. “It’s the only culture of its kind that has no religious barriers. The principles of Kwanzaa should be a way of life.”
The Rev. William “Bill” Rutherford, of Ebenezer Baptist Church, presented an invocation. Dr. Akil Khalfani and Nambe-Roach poured libations in tribute to ancestors. All were invited to call out the names of their ancestors.
The late poet, Nikki Giovanna was honored.
James Howard, executive director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame (BIHOF), shared the ambitious mission of the country’s first Black Inventors Museum which will be coming to West Orange.
“This town is perfectly poised for such a building. West Orange—where invention lives and will continue to live,” he said. “We look to the past to encourage the future. From vaccines to cancer research and everything in-between. We have done amazing things as a people. This facility is long overdue in West Orange.”
Tihesha Jackson performed a cultural dance and then later returned to the stage with her son Jason and the two tap danced.
Jacquelyn Bobien-Blanton, executive director of Early Learning for the Orange Public Schools, was the keynote speaker. She spoke about the fact that there is a large population of students who can’t read proficiently.
“It’s not happening to just people of color,” she said. “It’s happening to everybody. Reading is one of the most basic of human rights. We have to make sure our children have dreams. No more deferred dreams of holding children back. When they fail, we fail. No more deferred dreams where our community is left on the sidelines, watching children struggle without intervention. How many children convinced themselves they didn’t like school because they couldn’t read? How many lives have been destroyed? They only need experiences and the opportunity to share their gifts.”
She was presented the “Excellence in Education Award” by Terry Trigg-Scales, a former Board of Education president.
Michael Taylor, Community Activist and a 35-year resident of West Orange, was presented the “Lifetime of Services Award” by Robert “Bob” Simmons.
“I have not accomplished anything without a team,” Taylor said. “Everything I’ve ever done was as a member of a team. We lift each other. I’m humbled and honored.”
Gloria Williamson, of 7 Symbols of Kwanzaa, was one of the vendors, offering a full product line to help families celebrate Kwanzaa.
Benjamin Pottinger was representing Nitjuan Designs. They are based in South Orange and offer healing stones, incense, necklaces, jewelry, reiki healing, and sound healing.
Hibara Designs, run by Vivian Asogwu, had everything handmade including bags, headwraps, and jewelry. She’s based in West Orange and has been in business since 2016.
Alycia Brown and her daughter Kiyah Brown run the business Simplee Shea. They offer scented and unscented shea butter and soaps. They are based in Woodbridge and have been in business for nearly three years.
Patrice McKinney and Masani Barnwell of Source of Knowledge offer books, African artifacts, jewelry, and skin care products.
Freckled Hues is a mobile henna business run by a woman who goes by the name Freckles.
Maria Vera of West Orange was getting a henna design on her hand and enjoying the event.
“I love the culture, the members of the community, it’s something to do — to be out,” Vera said.
To learn more about the West Orange African Heritage Organization, visit: https://www.woaho.org/
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