Kwanzaa 2006

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs welcomed the community to a Kwanzaa celebration Saturday (Dec. 30, 2006) that featured storytelling, music and dance, vendors and a Karamu feast.
The event at Washington Community School brought Hassan K. Salim back to the city. Several years ago, Salim increased Afro-centric awareness here with his Black Gold business on Watchung Avenue, offering books, clothing, jewelry, lessons, artwork, drums, masks and more. Now living in Montclair with a studio in Harlem, Salim presided Saturday over the pouring of the libation and ancestors roll call, an African story-telling session with the children and a Kwanzaa ceremony including the holiday's history and lighting candles on the kinara.
Mfundishi Jhuty Mes Hassan K. Salim, to use his full title, was and is a cultural force. It was nice to see him again.