‘Remember The Purpose:’ Zion Cathedral, Democratic Caucus Partner For Kwanzaa Celebration

UNIONDALE, NY. — “This is a celebration that is my life, because it speaks to who we are as a people,” Town of Hempstead Poet Laureate Lindamichelle Baron said Wednesday.

Baron was speaking at a Kwanzaa celebration at the Roosevelt Field Mall, hosted jointly by Freeport-based Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ and the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic Minority caucus. The Dec. 31 celebration featured song, dance, speeches and the lighting of a Kinara, the seven-branched candle holder that signifies the seven principles collectively known as Nguzo Saba. The principles include Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (Self Determination), Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). The candles were lit by Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks, County Legislator Scott Davis, Christine Waters, Gina Slater Parker, a representative from the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Phaedra McDowell and Pastor Lynwood Deans, respectively.

(Credit: Patch Contributor) The front table at the Roosevelt Field Kwanzaa celebration, complete with literature and artifacts.

The celebration began with the introduction of elders, who processed down a central aisle in the mall plaza while Fred Berryhill drummed and Sabra Baily danced down the aisle. Afterwards, Kelsie Spears sang “Lift Every Voice And Sing.” Following the performance of the national anthem, a welcome statement was delivered by Zion Cathedral bishop Frank A. White, followed by the libation from Rev. Sedgwick V. Easley and a celebratory dance from Baily. Then came the lighting of the Kinara, a celebratory song and a spoken word poetry performance from Baron.

“This was incredible. We worked really hard to bring this together, and to be a part of it, to light the first candle, for me, is moving. As someone who has very deep roots from the south and considers themselves African-American, to see the pride, and what we’re putting through, is tremendous,” Nicks said of the celebration.

(Credit: Patch Contributor) Sabra Baily (center, in purple) danced during the introduction of elders and again during the Kwanzaa celebration.

Organizing the celebration from Zion’s side was Director of Social Action Ministry Shelley Brazley, who led a group of children in attendance in the Harambee, an observance exercise that saw the crowd chant “Harambee,” a Swahili word that translates to “Let’s Pull Together,” seven times.

For Brazley, the cultural celebration was an important opportunity to focus on principles that help guide people into the new year.

“Kwanza is not a religious holiday, it's not a political holiday, it's a cultural celebration where we talk about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, [and] making ourselves better. We’ve got seven principles, you have seven days,” Brazley said. “We try to practice this thing. First principle, Umoja, unity. Second principal, Kujichagulia, self determination. You know? Ujima, collective work and responsibility. These are all important principles. And so we just want people to be more aware."

(Credit: Patch Contributor) The candle lighters, performers and organizers of the Roosevelt Field Kwanzaa celebration.

After the Harambee, Glenn Cantave gave a farewell statement and Zion minister Eric Banks said a closing prayer. When asked what she hoped attendees took away from the Kwanzaa celebration, Brazley again focused on the seven principles of the cultural celebration.

“What I want them to do is remember the principles, remember the purpose. You know what I mean?” Brazley said. “And so, if we could get that part, and just start the new year trying to live those principles, daily, it'd be so much better in our families, our homes, our communities, our neighbors. We'd be much better neighbors, you know? So make our brothers and sisters problems, our problems. That's really what this country was, you know, and I think we can get back on course.”

(Credit: Patch Contributor) Shelley Brazley leads a group of children in the "Harambee," an exaltation that translates from Swahili to mean, "Let's Pull Together."

The event was also attended by Dr. Emily Moore, who was honored as a distinguished elder, as well as County Legislators Scott Davis and Debra Mulé and legislator-elects Cynthia Nuñez and Viviana Russell. Also honored at the Kwanzaa celebration was Roosevelt resident Dr. Emily Moore, who has led the Alliance Junior Tennis program as part of an over-50-year dedication to serving Nassau County's youth.