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Toledo Kwanzaa House Holds Annual Holiday Celebration
Sojourner’s Truth Staff
The Toledo Kwanzaa
Committee hosted the annual holiday celebration at the
Frederick Douglass Center on December 26 to 29 with a series
of programs designed to foster understanding of African
American culture and the principles that are at the core of
Kwanzaa.
On the first evening,
Rahwae Shuman spoke and presented “A Thumbnail Sketch of
African History.” Audra Wilson spoke on the second evening
on “Kujichagulia/Self-Determination.” Shuman spoke again on
the third evening on “The Physiological and Psychological
Implication of Melanin.”
The seven principles
celebrated each year are Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia
(Self-determination); Ujima (Collective work and
responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia
(Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
This is the 50th
year of Kwanzaa, a holiday created by Maulana Karenga in
1966 as an African-American holiday. For decades now,
Toledoans have carried forth the tradition. The current
Kwanzaa Committee includes: Diane Gordon, Donald Lynn, Rev.
Kenneth Peterson, Oscar Shaheer, Rolita Noble, Ruth Ashford,
Earnestine Harris, Washington Muhammad and Alisha Smith.
Joining the celebration
this year were the international students of American
Cultural Exchange Service (ACES).
ACES is a non-profit
organization dedicated to global education through secondary
level exchange and is designated by the Office of
Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State
Department. The students visit Toledo for one academic year,
living with host families, attending school and becoming
involved in extracurricular and community activities.
ACES has a relationship
with more than 60 countries and the local international
coordinator is Tracee Ellis who encourages a diversity of
American host families to experience the opportunity,
particularly minority families.
Ellis can be reached at
TraceeEllis.goglobal@aol.com or 419-450-0631. The ACES
website is exploretheworld.org.
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