Committee Prepares for 2023 Kwanzaa Celebration
Submitted by the Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee
The Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee – First Row: Chairpersons Carlanda Meadors and Baba Eng with Mariyama Ajamu. 2nd row: Jaylen Young, Kamau Fields and not pictured: Anthony Pierce, Iya Oyanicke, Vonetta Rhodes, Angelica Adisa and Shanntina Moore.
The Kwanzaa theme for 2023 is “Defy The Lie, Embrace The Truth” which speaks to making sure we don’t fall into believing the stereotypes that have been placed upon us by Europeans, but to know and educate others of the Black Excellence that we come from and represent as African People. Starting with the stereotype/lie of Kwanzaa being a holiday opposed to Christmas, or not for Christians or Muslims – when the truth is that it was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to do the following: 1) Reaffirm and restore African heritage and culture in America 2) Introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba or Seven Principles 3) Serve as a nationally celebrated communal and non-heroic holiday, and lastly as an act of cultural self-determination.
Now that you know the truth, we want you to join us in celebrating Black excellence as Buffalo is one of the best to do it every year!! The last few years could not be in person due to the blizzard and Covid, so we hope to see everyone come out and support even bigger as we celebrate us!
For opening night we want to see every organization, community group, church, sorority, fraternity, etc. have at least seven people from your group come represent for Kwanzaa and we will call you out and acknowledge you – Prep Rally Style!
“We know everyone loved being at Performing Arts High School, and we are happy to celebrate our first two nights there and the following nights at the Delavan Grider Community Center, and hope to have African drumming, dancing and storytelling just about every night this year,” says Carlanda Meadors – Kwanzaa chairperson. “The lively performances is what people love most about coming to Kwanzaa, especially for the children to see and if anyone is interested in performing, please contact us, especially for our open mic night at the Karamu Feast,” which will be at the Martha Mitchell Center.
She is honored to have her elder Bro. Baba Eng joined her as this year’s co-chair, who also came up with this year’s theme. “We are doing something new this year and on each night will be honoring individuals from our community that exemplify “Black Excellence” while embodying a principle of Kwanzaa and are listed on the schedule as well,” says Baba Eng. Our schedule is tentative to change based upon a possible virtual presentation by Dr, Karenga which we hope will be done on the 27th.
Anyone interested in being a host for the night, performing or vending or advertising in the Living Kwanzaa magazine which will be sold at Kwanzaa and also in some stores can contact Sis. Carlanda at 716-800-1348. You can also check out our site at: www.buffalokwanzaa.com for updates or the “The Official Buffalo Kwanzaa” FB page.