Westbury Arts Executive Director Tiffany Blair, Board Director Stanley Turetsky, Event organizer Marcia McNair, Westbury Arts President Julie Lyon and Westbury Village Trustee Beaumont Jefferson at the Kwanzaa celebration.
Ed Shin
Westbury Arts presented a spectacular Kwanzaa Family Celebration on Dec. 15. The gallery was adorned with beautiful African-inspired decorations that set the tone for a festive occasion.
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A kente cloth table displayed traditional symbolic items of the holiday, including a straw mat, a candle holder (Kinara) with red, black and green candles, the communal cup, gifts, and a basket filled with vegetables, fruits and nuts. Westbury Arts Gallery also had an area with handcrafted gifts that were completed by children, teens and adults.
Marcia McNair, author of Kwanzaa Crafts, explained the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Anayo Michel told the audience what Kwanzaa means to her.
Guest speaker Keith Shocklee, an original member of the rap group Public Enemy, and Marcia McNair. Shocklee also lit a candle for Kwanzaa.
Dr. Alicia Evans coloring in some books.
Marcia McNair amd Anayo Michel, owner Layla’s Dance and Drum of Valley Stream, lit a candle to celebrate the holiday.
Ismael Kouyate, Daisy Dhumake and Abdoulaye Toure from Layla’s Drum and Dance entertained crowds with their drumming.
Marcia McNair and Laura Harding, president of ERASE Racism, lit a candle for Kwanzaa.
Dr. Alicia Evans, Marcia McNair, President of ERASE Racism Laura Harding, and Westbury Arts Board Member Jacki Beder.
This event was hosted by Marcia Odle-McNair, author of Kwanzaa Crafts. Several guest speakers were also present, including Keith Schocklee, an original member of the rap group Public Enemy, Bishop Monzel Way, CEO of MPact Outreach Ministries, Beaumont Jefferson, Westbury Comptroller, and Laura Harding, president of ERASE Racism.
Beaumont Jefferson, who lit a candle at the celebration, and Marcia McNair.
Keith McNair, Marcia McNair’s husband, partook in the Westbury Arts celebration.
Marcia McNair and Bishop Monzell Way spoke about what Kwanzaa means to them and lit a candle.
Raymond Mondesire and his wife Claudia Mondesire attending the Kwanzaa celebration.
Bishop Monzell Way and his son David Way.
Westbury Arts has an annual celebration of African-American culture from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Also, Anayo Michel, owner of Layla Dance and Drum, Valley Stream, entertained the audience with her talented drummers and skillful dancers, making this an authentic, fun and educational event.
