Evanston’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 26 was an evening event this year and included a three hour indoor program at the Robert Crown Community Center in the Logan Family Gym.
There were family oriented activities, a drum circle, artisan and food vendors, dancing and storytelling among amenities.
The City of Evanston and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre hosted the annual first day of Kwanzaa celebration. Kwanzaa began on Dec. 26 and ends on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
The event started outside of the entrance to the Robert Crown Community Center. Evanston 2nd Ward Council Member Krissie Harris, and Artistic Director of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Tim Rhoze presided over the lighting of the first candle of Kwanzaa.
The first candle of the Kwanzaa, the center black candle, was illuminated on the kinara (candelabra) representing unity as “Umoja.”
“We’re talking about unity, right, we’re talking about not putting a BAND-AID on all the pain and suffering and the things that happen in the world,” Rhoze said, “but there has to be a day, a time when we can come together, hold hands, hug one another and simply say, ‘I enjoy you, I love you, you are my neighbor.'”
The city’s oversized kinara was placed this year in front of the Robert Crown Community Center’s lighted public art sculpture.
Harris addressed the audience outdoors in front of the kinara, indicating, “We light a candle each day, and that’s what Evanston represents, unity, and we need to take that spirit, that mindset into the New Year, 2024.
“It’s been a rough year for everybody,” Harris said. “And if we think outside of our self and think about the community, that we can lean on one another when times get hard. And that’s what I know Evanston to be.”
Kwanzaa’s seven days and principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The candle’s color includes black to represent the people, red for their struggle and green for the future. Kwanzaa was launched by founder Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966.
“It is so important to celebrate Kwanzaa so that our children will know where it all started,” said attendee Gerri Sizemore of Evanston. “It is very important to teach our children and this is a very good teaching moment. I am really inspired by the intergenerational participation in this event.”
The itinerary included a performance of “A Poetic Kwanzaa” featuring JustUsArts and storyteller Oba William King. Clarence and Wendy Weaver of C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor of Evanston were honored for their contributions to the Evanston community. The event concluded with the traditional first day of Kwanzaa ceremony.
The Evanston Public Library had a community table, providing free books, totes and other items.
“It’s about community, absolutely, so we try to always be at community events,” said Laura Antolin, youth engagement librarian at the Evanston Public Library. “We’re here because of all the people who live here.”
“Libraries aren’t just books,” said Mariana Bojorquez, the library’s Latino engagement librarian. “We create programming that’s relevant for all sorts of age groups.”
Tony Toneji Garrett of Evanston directed the drum circle where adults and children took part. The energy of the drum circle lasted a good half-hour or so.
“Kids make it happen,” Garrett said of youth participants. “Their energy is so primal, it’s pure.”
Kenya Johnson of Evanston attended with children Kennedi, 7, a second-grader and Byron, 8, a third-grader.
This was the first year the Johnsons celebrated Kwanzaa, Kenya Johnson said, and came to the event at the invitation of another family.
“It’s been a beautiful experience for us,” Kenya Johnson said. “So for them (Kennedi and Byron) to see that, and to be able to participate, means a lot to us.”
Rich Espinal of Evanston brought children Leonel, 10, a fifth-grader, Marcielo, 6, a first-grader, and Callan, 8, a third-grader. Crafts and a selfie station were popular destinations for the Espinal family.
The children’s father attended with family for, “just a sense of community.
“It’s part of our heritage, we’re here to celebrate,” Rich Espinal added. “This event brings everybody together.”
Angela Merritt of Evanston watched daughter Ava Gianna Waite, 4, perform in the drum circle.
“I’m very impressed, this is very nice,” Merritt said of Evanston’s Kwanzaa celebration.
To event organizers, “I want to say thank you,” Merritt said. “It’s great to bring community together, culture, but also showing representation, that’s very important.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
