Nov. 21, 2003
The Kwanzaa Festival, postponed because of the snow this past weekend, is a go this Saturday, December 13, from 10am to 7pm in the Cooper Student Center. Dance from hip hop to stepping to Flamenco is the focal point of the celebration this year. Festivities begin with the fourth annual Harambee Recognition Awards and candle-lighting ceremony at 10am. The arts festival and entertainment begins at noon and continues until 7pm. All are welcome to the free festival.

HACC's African American Student Organization and Harrisburg's Black Achievers lead with a candle-lighting ceremony and present the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The Harambee Recognition Awards go to seven outstanding members of the community who have demonstrated one of Kwanzaa's principles through service. An eighth award is given to a community leader who has applied the principles overall. This year's recipients are:

  • Overall winner, demonstrating seven Kwanzaa principles: David Smith, social education recreation coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Pennsylvania.
  • Umoja (unity): Helen and Gregory Spence of Harrisburg and adoptive parents of six - Helen Spence is an agency supervisor at the Dauphin County Juvenile Probation Office. Gregory Spence is a juvenile probation officer at Harrisburg High School.
  • Kujichagulia (self-dertmination): Lisa Waller, director of the Harrisburg University High School of Science and Technology.
  • Ujima (collective work and responsibility): Geoffrey M. Biringer, Esquire, law professor at Widener University School of Law.
  • Ujama (cooperative economics): Phyllis Robinson, entrepreneur.
  • Nia (purpose): Beverly Jean Burhannan-Blackstone, human services advocate for Gaudenzia.
  • Kuumba (creativity): Floyd Stokes, founder of the annual Imani Festival in Carlisle. Stokes, as SuperReader, promotes literacy among children and makes an appearance with the children's activities during HACC's Kwanzaa festival.
  • Imani (faith): Community worker Elizabeth Boulware-Bair, of Harrisburg, active in her church and community worker.

    • Special guest Valerie Pritchett, weekend news anchor for WHTM 27, is master of ceremonies. The awards program includes a performance by the Mime Ministry of Harambee UCC and a liturgical dance by Prazon School of Dance.

    Entertainment and the African American Arts Festival begin at noon, starting with a hip hop and tap performance by the Prazon School of Dance. The Sugarfoot Dance Company of Baltimore, known for jitterbug/lindy hop/line dancing, will follow their performance with a demonstration workshop. Dance groups from around the region performing are the Southside Steppers from the Crispus Attucks Center in York, Imani Edu-tainers African Dance Troupe from Lancaster, and the Flamenco dancing of Danzon from Harrisburg.

    "The wide range of dance styles offers something for everyone," said Pat Thompson, chair of the Kwanzaa event. "Hopefully everyone has a chance to see or learn something new and have fun at the same time. Adults and children alike can learn a few dance moves, how to weave, make a craft, see what other crafts people have created, and perhaps gain a further understanding about what the seven principles of Kwanzaa are about."

    Art and merchandise as well as specialty foods are featured at the festival. The fashion show returns to the festivities later in the afternoon at 4pm, presented by ABW Productions in Harrisburg and will include dance by the MindSpring Praise Team. Children's activities can be found on the second floor of Cooper Student Center with the Kids on the Block Puppet show, SuperReader Floyd Stokes, crafts, story telling, and face painting. A children's weaving workshop is available at the booth of Brynwoven Originals.

    For more information, contact Kwanzaa event coordinator Pat Thompson at HACC, telephone (717) 780-2632, or send an email message by clicking on the email address below.

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