Thursday, October 1, 2026
A public Kwanzaa celebration filled Roosevelt Field Mall on Dec. 31 with the sounds of drums, the movement of African dance and the glow of candlelight on Wednesday, led by parishioners from Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ in Freeport, who brought a traditional, family-centered observance into one of Long Island’s most visible public spaces.
“God, we thank You, Lord, for this day, for bringing us to the very last day of the year,” said Pastor Jykolyn White of Zion Cathedral, who led the opening prayer. “We thank You, Lord for our ancestors who come before us. We thank You, Lord for those who will come after us.”
Hosted in the North Court of Roosevelt Field Mall, the midday gathering transformed the bustling shopping destination into a space for cultural reflection and shared experience. Rather than formal speeches, the program unfolded through music, movement and ritual, offering striking visuals and natural sound as shoppers and community members paused to watch.
“Today, as we gather in this place, we call the names of freedom fighters and truth tellers such as Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth,” said Rev. Sedgwick Easley the leader of the Union Baptist Church of Hempstead, who gave the libation.
“We pour libation for the ancestors of Africa, for the kings and queens and scholars and builders and those who have paved the way for us,” he added.
A drum procession moved through the mall court, drawing onlookers into the celebration, followed by African dance performances and moments of reflection involving clergy, elders and families. At the center of the observance was the lighting of a large mosaic kinara, marking Umoja, the first principle of Kwanzaa, which emphasizes unity within families and the broader community.
Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ played a central role throughout the program, with its members helping lead the drumming, dance and ceremonial elements. Their participation highlighted the Freeport-based church’s commitment to sharing cultural traditions and fostering community connections beyond its own congregation.
Later in the program members of the Nassau County Legislature Minority Caucus such as Debra Mulé and Olena Nicks, along with community leaders, joined together in observing the candle-lighting and reflecting on the theme of unity expressed through the celebration.
Organizers said the event was intended to highlight culture, togetherness and community leadership by bringing a meaningful tradition into a shared public space, inviting families and passersby alike to take part in the spirit of Kwanzaa.
