The Community Empowerment Association took Pittsburgh by storm, painting the city red, green and black to bring the celebration of Kwanzaa alive, and back into the African-American community. Hundreds gathered to be a part of this event to celebrate Kwanzaa and Black lives.
“Kwanzaa was always a holiday I didn’t know much about until now…I learned so much from today’s Kwanzaa event, and learned so much about our heritage that we need to be proud of. I will be back next year,” said Breawna Gaines, 20, of Penn Hills.
Saturday, Dec. 27 the 20th Annual Kwanzaa 2014 took place at the Community Empowerment Association building in Homewood from 3-9 p.m.
Several forms of entertainment and activities took place throughout the evening to bring Black heritage and Kwanzaa to life. Live music, vendors spread throughout the facility, African Drumming, African Dancers, Balafon Dance Troupe, children’s activities, awards ceremonies, dinner, and the crowd was educated on the importance of Kwanzaa and the issues taking place in the Black community.
Attendee Regina Moton of Penn Hills said, “What I loved most about the event was Mama K and the African dancers. The African-American culture is liberating.”
Bilal Muhammad was a vendor at the event selling books, bean pies and carrot cake. Muhammad has taken part in the Kwanzaa event since 2010.
Muhammad said, “Brother Rashad first introduced me to this celebration years ago, and every year the crowd gets bigger and bigger; and the event becomes more successful. This event is an opportunity to escape the commercialized Christmas, and allows Blacks to connect and celebrate their roots through Kwanzaa.”
Vendor Cheryl Biggs, of Gourmet Edibles, said, “I enjoyed the event, and more importantly loved the family atmosphere. The 20th Annual Kwanzaa brought all kinds of people together, and I feel that everyone who attended left knowing the meaning of Kwanzaa.”
Several individuals took the microphone to speak about Kwanzaa throughout the event. Educational materials were also scattered throughout the room to inform everyone about Kwanzaa and the importance of unity. While some spoke of the Kwanzaa principles, others promoted things like the Black Arts Festival, Black Girls Rock, Harlem Renaissance. Some event addressed like the recent police shootings and the need for Black on Black crime to end.
Attendee Omar Shaheed, president of The Religious Community in Wilkinsburg and a West Mifflin resident, said, “Today, was my first time ever attending this event. It’s been a positive experience, bringing unity into the community. Being in such a family oriented atmosphere takes your mind off of all the negativity going on in the world. However, prayer should of played a bigger part in this. We need to be in constant prayer for our children. The depth of everything is for the children.”
Muhammad said, “It’s time we start teaching our young children how to view each other as kings and queens. Kwanzaa means family, unity, responsibility and love.”
Everyone present at the event came together to eat dinner. A large dinner of fish, chicken, yellow rice, white rice, African food, pasta salad, greens, and cabbage was served at no cost. Toys were also given away to all the children.
Vendor Cynthia Hall, Owner of Third Day Soaps and Garden, said, “Overall this experience was a great one. I enjoyed myself, as I do every year. This event helps me to stay grounded.”
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