THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507260139
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
Chesapeake has added another festival to its growing roster of outdoor celebrations.
The city's first African-American Family Day will take place this weekend.
The event is being organized by Shawn Eure, Veronica McMillan, Phyllis Williams and MenAnkhtaib Bragg, four founders of the newly established Kujichagulia Christian Academy, a new private school opening on Cedar Road in Deep Creek.
The daylong free festival is being held on the grounds of the school, currently the site of the St. Matthew Church of Deliverance.
``We're looking at holding this event every year,'' said Eure. ``Our purpose is to let the community know about us and give it a positive, motivating event to be a part of.''
But just because the festival is dubbed the African-American Family Day, doesn't mean it excludes people of other races and cultures, organizers say.
They say that's like thinking the annual Greek Festival in Norfolk is open only to those of Greek descent or the annual Cajun Festival at Town Point Park is only for those who trace their roots back to Louisiana's Cajun people.
Simply out, the festival will celebrate all things of African or African-American origin, including music, dance, stories, folklore, foods, ideas and the spirit of unity, or umoja as it's known in Swahili.
``This is another festival we're bringing to Chesapeake,'' Bragg said. ``It will have more of a focus on young talent and unity with many positive speakers, as opposed to just rides and games.''
But there will be an opportunity for good times, too. Included will be local dance ensembles, steel drummers, positive rap artists, jazz musicians, close harmony vocal groups, gospel music, storytelling, food and vendors of all manner of African and African American items such as oils, incense, spices, books, tapes and art.
``We encourage people to bring lawn chairs and blankets for an entire day of entertainment and positive unity,'' Eure said.
The event organizers also hope to show off the benefits of the Kujichagulia Christian Academy, the school they're busy building and shaping on Cedar Road.
The owners say such a school has been a dream for many years.
``We're going to offer education from an Afro-centric perspective, rooted in solid Christian ideals,'' Eure said. ``The name Kujichagulia means self-determination in Swahili, the second principle of Kwanzaa, which we plan to teach. We are affiliated with the Trinity Temple Church but we are a non-denominational, non-sectarian school open to children of all races, faiths and cultures. We will not be exclusionary in any way.''
The school now has classes only for 3- to 5-year-olds but plans to add a grade each year as it grows.
``Our amenities are small classes, tutorial programs, an Afro-centric curriculum and before and after care,'' Eure explained. ``We want to offer some diversity so parents can have a choice in choosing a school in Chesapeake.''
``Along with that we plan to teach a holistic perspective to health and nutrition, including cooking classes and offering natural and healthy food alternatives for children,'' Bragg said.
Eure added that the school will be big on community involvement, including mentor programs and having children respect and learn from a council of elders.
A registration booth will be set up at the festival so parents can enroll their children or find out more information about the academy. The booth will also be set up to solicit financial help and donations and community volunteers, Eure said.
``We're pretty sure someone will be touched by the festival or what we have to offer in the academy,'' Eure said. ``We're about positive things.'' MEMO: African-American Family Family Day will take place Saturday from 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m. at 2501 Cedar Road. More information about the event or the
Kujichagulia Academy is available by calling 485-9338, 543-8592 or
578-5731.
ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
Here is a schedule for this Saturday's African-American Family
Day:
11 a.m. - Opening ceremonies, known as Libation.
11:30 a.m. - PX3 Dance Ensemble from Portsmouth Community
Development featuring dancers, ages 11-14.
11:50 a.m. - Baba Askia Mentuhotep, educational and cultural
consultant.
12:15 p.m. - No Limits, drummers from Portsmouth Community
Development, ages 10-16.
12:30 p.m. - Storm & Sedan, conscious rappers.
1 p.m. - Phillipe Fields, jazz saxophonist.
2 p.m. - Young Creative Sounds, R&B and ballad singing group.
2:30 p.m. - Justin Fenwick, speaker and author of ``The
Autobiographer of Our African American Self.''
3 p.m. - St. Mark Orchestra, an instrumental gospel ensemble from
the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth.
3:30 p.m. - Son of Man, conscious rapper.
4 p.m. - Mama Ruth Suggs-Varner, creative story telling.
5 p.m. - Youth Gospel Choir.
All day - WNSB FM-91.1, the jazz radio station of Norfolk State
University, will be on site doing remote broadcasts.
by CNB