Marine Park Alliance, Brooklyn College host pre-Kwanzaa festival with spirited drumming

Last Saturday, the Marine Park Carmine Carro Community Center, in partnership with Brooklyn College, came alive with energetic drumming and dancing at a pre-Kwanzaa celebration, an African American festival of music, food, and the lighting of the Mishumaa Saba candles.

In his introduction, Scott Middleton, executive director of the Marine Park Alliance, applauded the 4th Annual Kwanza commemoration, which is part of the organization’s Festival of Lights series.

“I think what is nice about the program is that we find that all these cultures have something in common, which is that, as the days get shorter, they find a reason to celebrate the light. And I think it is important to remember in these dark days and a few weeks with the days getting longer. Hopefully, the future will be bright for all of us in 2025,” stated Middleton, adding that he was overjoyed to have Brooklyn College as a partner in the celebration,

He also thanked Professor of Brooklyn College Dr. Simanique Moody for curating the 4th Kwanza Festival of Lights series in collaboration with the Lion’s Club, volunteers, Outside Afro, the City Parks Foundation, NYC Cultural Affairs, the NYPD, and local elected officials, calling on Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, who was present, to share remarks.

NYC Council Member Mercedes Narcisse wished the audience a Happy Kwanzaa and thanked the drummers for coming out to perform and share what the holiday stands for. She then repeated the words (Umoja) unity, (Kujichagulia) self-determination), and Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), acknowledging some of the principles of Kwanzaa.

“This is about the appreciation of each other. Whenever I am describing New York City, especially Brooklyn, I see how close we are to each other. The more you understand each other, the more you see how close you are. The more you spend time and understand what a person stands for, the easier it gets to work together. I am so grateful to be a part of the amazing work that you are doing,” said Narcisse.

She thanked Middleton, whom she said she had worked with in the past, noting that he was an asset to the community.

She also lauded the diverse team that planned the program, noting that “to be daring is to be different and to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and say, I am willing to learn, I am willing to understand you, and appreciate you. That is what the holiday is all about, said Narcisse, who represents District 46.

Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, and whatever you celebrate, may God be with you. Be peaceful and share love, said the politician.

Professor Moody, an English and Linguistics studies educator at Brooklyn College, who was also tapped to curate a Black History Month program for the Alliance, gave a comprehensive presentation, opening with the expression Habari Gani – a Kwanza reflection.

She welcomed the audience to the free event. She shared that the first word used to commemorate the festival from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 is Umoja to greet each other and express her gratitude for being included in the commemoration.

“Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic Life in Brooklyn and throughout the boroughs.

“We are very proud to use the entire city as a living classroom so that we can co-sponsor and collaborate to unite, educate, and inspire.”

Professor Moody added that the institution is an engine of social mobility for students, and according to a recent study, the college has a $2.3 billion impact, added to the New York City economy, that she says allows students to get a high-quality education that transforms not only their lives but the lives in the community. “I am proud to represent Brooklyn College,” she said.

Giving an elder the highest honor is customary when declaring the ceremony of Kwanzaa open. This was done by a vibrant drum call featuring percussionist Baba Raheem, and Sister Arleen.  After the session, Professor Moody voiced Umojo – “the spirit of unity and togetherness, as we focus and reflect on family, culture, and community. We begin by paying tribute to our ancestors, without whom none of us would be here,” she said, as she poured libation.

She then invited the audience to call out the names of their ancestors and duly lit each Mishumaa Saba candle on a table decorated with fruits, books, and gifts to celebrate the African tradition.

“This is the time to reflect and feel gratitude, and a time for all of us to participate and call out the names of our ancestors, she said, to which she responded with Ase’.

Audience members sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and recited the seven principles: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamma, Nia, Kumba, and Imani. This made way for a rousing session of drumming and dancing during an interactive dance workshop led by Sister Arlene. Michelle Welker of Outdoor Afro also shared the significance of Kwanza.

Professor Moody told Caribbean Life she was excited to have participated in the Kwanzaa commemoration with Marine Park Alliance for the third year and commented on the warm reception received from people in the park who joined in the vibrant music.

“You can see they were connecting through the music and drumming. We had people of all ages who were actively engaged, at their different levels of ability, in the interactive dance workshop and the candle-lighting ceremony. This makes me very satisfied,” said Moody.

She shared that Brooklyn College had discontinued its celebration due to COVID-19. However, she looks forward to the festival being revitalized in the future.