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Ottawa Kwanzaa Celebration Kwanzaa '07 Celebration: a Smashing Success!Ottawa's Kwanzaa Celebration saw over 300+ attendees and was filled to capacity. The ceremony commemorated the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade through vivid presentations, music and dance. Guests enjoyed the spectacular offerings of Kwanzaa especially its libation, candle lighting and the Karumu or feast.
Jaku Konbit would like to thank the community, the speakers/performers and our volunteers and partners for their contribution to the success of Kwanzaa 2007. In addition, our celebration of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade would not have been possible without funding from the Roots of Freedom grant provided by the Government of Ontario. We hope to see you all again soon at Kwanzaa 2008! Kwanzaa '07Jaku Konbit will host Kwanzaa 2007, one of the largest African-Canadian events in the Ottawa Region. This year’s Kwanzaa event will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. This was and still is a historic milestone in not only black history in Canada, but black history around the world. The commemoration of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade portion of the Kwanzaa event was made possible due to the Roots of Freedom grant provided by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Government of Ontario. Kwanzaa 2007 will also spotlight the history of blacks in Canada by commemorating the lives of exceptional African-Canadians in Canada via their contributions and achievements both past and present. The event will focus deserved attention on the abolition of slavery in a Canadian context. This will be both an eye-opener and educational for attendees. This occasion is an opportunity for the black diaspora in Ottawa to reflect on family, community and culture. It is also a chance for the greater Canadian community to learn more about Black-Canadian culture, history and heritage.
Below are some of the Speakers/Performers at Kwanzaa 2007:
Ewart Walters Ewart Walters will be the keynote speaker for Kwanzaa 2007. Ewart Walters is a man for all seasons. Editor, publisher, and prize-winning journalist, he launched Ottawa's Black community newspaper, The Spectrum, in August 1984. Walters graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University in 1968 and received his Masters degree in 1979.A visionary, Mr. Walters held executive positions at several community organizations since 1964, including the West Indian Association of Ottawa (co-founder), the National Council of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations in Canada (Vice-President and Public Relations Director), The Ontario Cricket Association (Director), the Ottawa Valley Cricket Council (President), Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services Organization, (Director), the Canadian Foundation for Caribbean Development and Cooperation (Chairman), and Black History Ottawa (co- founder/Director). In 1995, he was invited to be a member of the President's Advisory Committee at Carleton University. Over the decades he has been a beacon for truth in reporting, appearing on television and radio and writing articles and letters to the Ottawa Citizen and the Globe and Mail to correct misleading reports about community-police race relations in Canada, as well as, about Jamaicans and Jamaican-Canadians. In launching The Spectrum, he gave Blacks and Visible Minorities in the National Capital Region a voice, a face, credibility and respect that were long denied them by the dominant daily media.
Voices of Praise Referred to as the “funky disciples of Gospel”, Voices of Praise describe their music as ranging from “funky rhythm and blues with a new urban attitude, to soulful A cappella with a world beat feel.” The group’s vocal arrangements provide an interesting dimension to the songs on the album.Voices of Praise is featured on the 2005-2006 Howe Gelb Project and has performed on stage with Paul Anka, The Chieftans, Celine Dion, The Barenaked Ladies and Gordon Lightfoot among others. The group consists of Steve Johnston, Joy Clarke, Michael Shaw, Judy Lewis, Jerusha Lewis, Neema Mugala, Christine Mathenge and Patrick Joseph. The event also includes performances by Mansa Sissoko, Bingie Barker and the Heru Drummers among others.
What: Kwanzaa 2007
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