WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

Bringing the youth into the spotlight was a major focus of the citywide Kwanzaa week in Winston-Salem that ran from Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. The North Carolina Black Repertory Company collaborated with the Greater Vision Dance Ensemble to present a Kwanzaa story called “The Name of the Tree” written by India Mack, the managing director of the NCBRC. They performed for the nights of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) on Dec. 28 at the William C. Sims Center in Happy Hill Gardens and at the evening of Nia (Purpose) on Dec. 30 at the Central Library. During the gathering at the Central library, the Monica & Jerome International Dance Experience presented an African dance, along with the two companies. The productions involved dynamic African dancing and vibrant storytelling in flowing, vivid African garments.

The honoree for the night of Ujima was Apostle Edith Jones, the president emeritus of the Happy Hill Neighborhood Association (HHNA). The honorees for the Nia celebrations were Yolanda Foster Bolden, the director of the Forsyth County Public Central Library, and Sheryl Session, who was the magnet coordinator and community engagement coordinator at Ashley Academy. 

The speaker for the Ujima night was India Mack. She conducted a workshop on how the ten principles of the Black Panther Party from the 1960s are still relevant today. She put the audience in groups to determine what organizations in the city are still doing the work that was identified. Mack was also the speaker at the Nia celebration at the Central Library. She spoke about the importance of a person’s mission statement and how it should guide his or her purpose in life. The speaker at Grace Presbyterian Church was Daye Brake, the founder of Daye Brake Consulting, Brake Publishing House and Brake-Through Tutoring. She spoke about “Traditional Greatness:  Five steps to Living a Purpose-Filled Life in 2024.”

On the opening Umoja (Unity) night at the Winston-Salem Urban League, Jayla Keaton, a high school senior, served as the emcee for the entire Umoja celebration. Her mother, Makeda Johnson, is the COO of the Winston-Salem Urban League. Kenneth Johnson, three, wowed the crowd by reciting a poem, “I am Somebody,” by heart. The Otesha Creative Arts Ensemble issued the drum call to bring all Kwanzaa enthusiasts together. Many came out of the audience to join the dancing. 

The Triad Cultural Arts’ new executive director, Abra Armstrong, introduced herself each night, offered comments on the nightly principles, and presented awards to the selected honorees.

“Although Cheryl Harry is not here to receive the Umoja award, I am grateful that she had the opportunity to go to Jamaica on vacation and relax this week. She has earned this break, and as the new executive director, I am glad to do my part to continue the unity,” said Armstrong. “I went to Ghana last week; my fiancé lives in Ghana. He bought me this beautiful suit in Accra. Shout out for the designers of Ghana!”

Armstrong pointed out that her trip to the Motherland reminded her that the term Umoja deals with “unity through division and delegation.” Armstrong said, “We must all rely on cooperation and coordination. By working together, everyone gets what we need because we rely on systems working in unison. 

“Trade Street is a microcosm of unity. Body and Soul and the restaurant Sweet Potatoes depend upon each other. When you are in your own lane, there is very little traffic. Sweet Potatoes is not trying to sell jewelry. Body and Soul is not trying to sell plates. They do not look at each other as competitors but as collaborators.”

On the night of Kujichagulia (Self-determination) at the Delta Arts Center, participants enjoyed a hands-on artistic experience by learning the special ‘xyphlo’ technique created and demonstrated by artist T’Afo Feimster. The work of art that the participants created was a kinara, the Kwanzaa candle holder.

Denise Hartsfield commented on the reason Feimster was selected for the Kujichagulia award. “The medium that T’Afo Feimster uses is sawdust, which is endemic of self-determination. The design does not have to be big or important. This is a self-determination exercise,” Hartsfield said. “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can create these beautiful tributes. Little becomes much with the touch of the Master’s hand. Feimster has sold more paintings than any other painter who has come through our center.”

Feimster, 75, has often been asked about what drives him to create such detailed, ornate, three-dimensional paintings.     “I was determined. Once you understand your purpose in life, you can’t just sit on it. You must be determined to fulfill your purpose,” said Feimster. “I knew I wanted to create. We were born to create through self-determination. Find your purpose.”

Youth headlined during the celebration of Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) as well. Youth participated in a Black History Quiz Bowl. They included Breyahn Clemmons, Morgan Sweeney, Genesis Wall, Naeemah Anderson, and Maya Anderson. Gloria Hairston of the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce conducted the bowl questioning. The honorees for the evening were Addie Hymes of Project Upward Bound/WSFCS Parent Engagement and Dionne Galloway, MD, who continued to support the efforts of her alma mater Carver High School.

The Kuumba (Creativity ) celebration was held at Taste of the Triad. The honoree was Kimberly Hinton-Robinson, founder and executive director of Living is Finally Enjoyable W-S, Inc. The speaker for the event was Dr. Malishai Woodbury, Forsyth County Commissioner.  

The Imani (Faith) celebration was held at Alpha and Omega Church of Faith. The honorees were Constance Smith of New Bethel Baptist Church and Elder Richard Wood of New Hope Baptist Church. The Imani Players  read a choral poem, “The History of the Safe Bus Company,” that was written by Baba Joseph Anderson and me.

The week of Kwanzaa celebrations throughout the city offered participants a reflective closure to 2023 as we look forward with hope for 2024.