Tuesday, December 28, 2021 | View in browser
The virtual Fountain Square Kinara Lighting and Kwanzaa Storytelling & Festival events were a success!
This year's Kwanzaa Celebration was supposed to be a "live" event at the Robert Crown Community Center and then, at the 11th hour, we had to pivot and go virtual. This could have been a disaster in the making. Instead, it was the true definition of Umoja, the Swahili word for unity, and the first principle of Kwanzaa. Over 1,200 people tuned in and celebrated the first day of Kwanzaa with us. Now, you can watch a recording of the events.
The faces and names you will see below are a few of the many who made the switch from a live in-person event to a "live" streamed event. The faces you won't see here have names that you should also know as the people who were the fearless FJT volunteers and partners who poured their hearts and souls into making this year's Kwanzaa Celebration another success.
These people include manager Jeron Dorsey and his Robert Crown Community Center staff, the entire Parks and Recreation Department, community engagement staff, the Facilities crew, Ms. Bria Walker, Ms. Carmen Francellno from the Evanston Public Library, the Evanston Roundtable, Zeta Phi Betas, Ms. Ayanna Evens, Ms. Joanna Goodson and Ms. Nina Kavin of Dear Evanston. I also want to acknowledge all of our vendors who were prepared to bring their wonderful artwork, African apparel, and genealogy information. See the full listing of vendors below.
Fountain Square First Day of Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting
 Dancer Kara Roseborough at Fountain Square.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
Kwanzaa Storytelling & Festival Event
 Dancers "Keeks", Kemiyah Coleman & Brandon Avery...Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Dancer Crystal Small.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Drummer Ozivell Ecford.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Drummers Chi & Tony Garrett.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 "Legacy of Cultural Excellence Award" Recipients Dr. Larry & Dr. Jean Murphy.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 "Legacy of Cultural Excellence Award" Recipient Colette Allen.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Poet Stephanie Lane-Baker.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Zeta Phi Beta CM Winter.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Storyteller Dr. Stephanie Davenport.... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
 Mistress of Ceremony Lucia L. Luckett-Kelly... Photo Courtesy of Bria Walker
You can still watch a recording of the Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting at Fountain Square and "Seven Spools of Threat": A Kwanzaa Story and Festival Celebration
View the recorded "live" broadcast of the lighting of the Kwanzaa Kinara at Fountain Square.
View the recorded "live" broadcast of the "Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story and Festival Celebration" from the Robert Crown Community Center.
Join us online and Happy Kwanzaa!
Kwanzaa vendors included: Artist Jevoid Simmons, Artist Fran Joy, Musician Donovan Mixon, We Are Beautiful African apparel and accessories, Marylin Ecfors' Magnificent Glamor Jewelry, Minouchic Boutique X, Wendy Weaver and Black Expo, and the African American History & Genealogy Study Group of Evanston.
Please make a financial DONATION today to help support FJT.
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