Saturday, December 27
On Saturday, December 27, 2014, Jaku Konbit held its annual Kwanzaa celebration at the Jim Robillard Centre. Created by African-American activist and scholar Maulana Karenga in 1966–67, Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and also celebrated in the Western African diaspora in other nations of the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Guest speaker Patrick Joseph performed the libation opening the event and later delivered remarks focusing on this year’s theme, “Family Traditions”. Other speakers included Jaku Konbit president Ken Campbell and Hon. Yasir Naqvi, Ottawa-Centre MPP and Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The multi-generational audience enjoyed live performances by Ottawa singer-songwriter Rita Carter, spokenword artist Doretta Charles-Epale and singer Michèle Jean-Baptiste. The following community members lit the seven candles representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity); Imani (Faith): Jordi Balanky, Renford Thomas, Jr., André Louis-Jean, Andrew Clarke, Sgt. Gareth Webb, Nigel Antoine and Tristann Parchment.
Submitted by Sarah Onyango. Photo credits: Black Ottawa Scene editor & Sarah Onyango
Trying to connect with Jordi Balanky. We are doing family history research. You can Google us if you like. All help appreciated. David and Patricia Balanky