Valley services observe Kwanzaa

The events focus on accomplishments in the black community.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Harambee of Youngstown Inc. plans daily events in observance of Kwanzaa, which will be observed Friday through Jan. 1.

Kwanzaa, which is observed as a black festival and is not the black Christmas, focuses on what has been accomplished in the black community.

The activities focus on the principles of Kwanzaa.

Events scheduled are:

UUmoja (unity) at 7 p.m. Friday at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., with the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, pastor. The Harambee Youth Organization will be featured along with music, dancing and cultural expression. There also will be African-American vendors. The Harambee Coalition is the sponsor.

UKujichagulia (self-determination) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., with the Rev. Harold Logan. There will be a Gospel celebration, liturgical dancing, pantomime and cultural celebration. Refreshments will be served.

UUjima (collective work and responsibility) at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 505 Parkcliffe Ave., with the Rev. Lewis Macklin II, pastor. There will be a ministerial interpretation of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa) along with music, choirs and cultural expression.

Holy Trinity is partnering with Youngstown Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in its Sunday of Hope program. The endeavor is to assist St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., in raising additional funds for research. Both local organizations are part of a national effort.

St. Jude has been treating children battling sickle cell, cancers and other catastrophic diseases since its founding by the later entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962. It was Thomas’ belief that no child should be denied access to health care regardless of race, creed, religion or the family’s ability to pay. St. Jude is the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer.

Proceeds from the event will support the charitable works of St. Jude.

Kwanzaa speakers will be the Rev. Mr. Simon, New Bethel Baptist; the Rev. Gena Thornton, St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Cleveland; the Rev. C. M. Jenkins II, Freedom Christian Assembly; the Rev. Robert Johnson, Bethlehem Lutheran Church; the Rev. Gwen Alexander, Solid Rock Interdenominational; the Rev. Larry McCulloh, World Fellowship Interdenominational; and the Rev. J. Dwayne Heard, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church. The pastors will be accompanied by their singing aggregations.

UUjamaa (cooperative economics) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at Buckeye Elks Youth Center, 421 1/2 North Ave. There will be vendors, prizes and refreshments. Mohammed Study Group No. 9 and Sankofa are sponsors.

UNia (purpose) is planned at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 328 S. Forest St., with the Rev. George Wilkins. There will be a cultural and Gospel celebration. Refreshments will be served.

UImani (faith) at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 1 at McGuffey Center, 1649 Jacobs Road. The Harambee Coalition and Associated Neighborhood Centers are the sponsors. There will be vendors, music, dancing and poetry by the Harambee Youth Organization.