Kwanzaa celebration to start

St. Petersburg sites will host six nightly events focused on celebrating traditional African values.

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 25, 2004

---

ST. PETERSBURG - After the Christmas presents are unwrapped and the turkey devoured, it's time to get ready for another December holiday: Kwanzaa.

"Kwanzaa isn't supposed to replace Christmas," said Melissa Ganeshpour, with the African-American Arts Council of St. Petersburg. "It's in addition to Christmas."

Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, chairman of the black studies department at California State University at Long Beach. It is an African-American celebration focused on traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement.

A weeklong celebration, organized by the African-American Arts Council, will be held in St. Petersburg nightly at 6.

The locations: Sunday, Boys and Girls Club, 1011 22nd St. S.; Monday, Uhuru House, 1245 18th Ave. S; Tuesday, Unity Temple of Truth, 511 Prescott St. S; Wednesday, Coquina Key Arms Clubhouse, 5000 Coquina Key Drive S; Thursday, Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S; Friday, Midtown Technology Center, 1501 16th St. S; and Saturday, Enoch Davis Center.

Imani Efi, one of the organizers of the celebration, said each event will feature African drummers and a potluck feast.

Last year's celebration drew about 100 people each night, and Efi said she expects a larger turnout this year.

"It gets bigger and bigger every year," she said.

For information, call (727) 893-7134 or (727) 820-0240.