Monday, January 20, 2025
Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, a cornerstone of Freeport’s spiritual and cultural community, hosted a memorable Kwanzaa celebration at Roosevelt Field in Garden City on Dec. 31.
The event drew attendees from across communities – with the 200 chairs set up for the event being filled and more attendees standing – blending tradition, inspiration and unity to honor African American heritage and values."
Kwanzaa, created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a weeklong celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, was established to honor African heritage and culture, emphasizing family, community and shared values.
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase Matunda ya Kwanza, meaning “first fruits.” The celebration incorporates seven guiding principles known as Nguzo Saba: Unity or Umoja; Self-Determination or Kujichagulia; Collective Work and Responsibility or Ujima; Cooperative Economics or Ujamaa; Purpose or Nia; Creativity or Kuumba; and Faith or Imani.
This year’s event fell on the sixth day of Kwanzaa, and was rooted in Kuumba, or Creativity. The celebration honored the life and legacy of Joysetta and Julius Pearse, revered as “Keepers of Our Culture,” and featured a diverse program of performances, reflections and ceremonial rituals.
Bishop Frank A. White, senior pastor of Zion Cathedral, began the program with a heartfelt welcome, and the evening included powerful renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and an uplifting musical performance by the Zion Cathedral Sounds of Praise. The PEZ Dance Ensemble and the drumming by Fred Berryhill added vibrant energy to the proceedings, while a symbolic lighting of the kinara, a seven-branched candleholder used in Kwanzaa celebrations, illustrated the significance of the seven principles.
Prominent speakers and community leaders contributed to the event’s significance. Eleanor McKay emphasized Kujichagulia, or Self-Determination, as an essential tool for personal and collective growth. Kenny Ware, known for his dynamic involvement in youth mentoring, highlighted the importance of Ujamaa, or Cooperative Economics.
The Kwanzaa celebration’s success was bolstered by partnerships with organizations like the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County and local businesses such as the Imperial Diner, which proudly sponsored the event. Featured artists included Otis Jermaine Becoat and Zion Cathedral’s own music ministry, showcasing the depth of local talent. Interactive segments like the Kwanzaa Kraft Fun allowed families to create handprint wreaths symbolizing unity and shared purpose.
The celebration closed with a stirring Harambee — a call to “pull together”— led by Pastor Jykolyn White, and Elder at Zion Cathedral and son of Bishop White.
Bishop White reminded attendees of their shared responsibility to uphold and pass down the principles of Kwanzaa.
“I believe this magnificent display of love, creativity and unity touched God’s heart,” he said.
“It was my esteemed pleasure to present this brilliant collective effort of cultural excellence to the extended communities of Nassau County,” he added. “I celebrate Simon Properties (the owner of Roosevelt Field Mall) for their commitment to wholesome community engagement.”
Shelley Brazley, director of the Social Action Ministry at Zion Cathedral, played the central role in organizing the event.
“It was a collaboration, first of all, with private enterprise, Simon Properties, and then, of course, the church,” she told the Herald.
“We had the NAACP (Freeport-Roosevelt chapter) helping us,” she added. “We also had the National Association of Negro Women ... It was just kind of cool the way the community just pulled together.”
Roosevelt Field was chosen as the venue due to its historical significance in hosting community events. Brazley noted that the Social Action Ministry wanted to create a collaborative event that combined private industry, community service organizations and church efforts. “When I said that, just imagine, we all put our best together — they liked that,” she explained.
Reflecting on her personal connection to Kwanzaa, Brazley shared, “It’s something that I’ve done in my home forever, and so that’s all my children know. It’s Kwanzaa. We’re Christians, but in my home we don’t do the traditional tree and all the Santa and all that stuff. We go to church and celebrate Christ, and we come home, and during that week, we celebrate Kwanzaa.”
Brazley expressed hope the event could become an annual tradition, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and cultural heritage.
“I love the principles, and I think we should try to live them,” she said, “and that’s why I do it.”
