Kwanzaa Parade & Festival In South Los Angeles, 12/26/11

People of Color

2618 W. 54^th St, Los Angeles, CA 90043

(323) 799-8409 kwanzaagwaride@gmail.com (323) 731-3330

Press Release

35^th Annual Kwanzaa Gwaride

“A New Paradigm”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Los Angeles' Kwanzaa Man R. W.Akile announced at a South LA press conference today final plans for the 35^th Annual Kwanzaa Gwaride (gwa-ree-dey) Parade and Festival, 12 noon, December 26, 2011 starting at Adams and Crenshaw marching to Leimert Park. The celebration  opens the 46th Year of the Kwanzaa Era (KE), The Year of Ujamaa with a traditional salute honoring our Kebulani (African) ancestors and exalting our culture.  “A New Paradigm” is the theme of this year’s celebration.  Gwaride will feature the “Bendera Gwaride” where the 54 Flags of Kebulan/Africa and the flags of ANY nation where Black people live will be carried as an act of Umoja (Unity) on the First day of Kwanzaa.

Traditional Chiwara Masks representing the ancestors bringing us into the New Year and a masker representing Sango, the Patron Orisa of Kwanzaa will lead the Gwaride.  Included in the procession is an “Ourstorical Drama” which is a mobile dramatization of actual ancestors and mythical figures from the past which come to life as they walk in the Gwaride.   This year’s roster includes Queen Kalifia, (whom California is named for), Harriet Tubman, ShakaZulu, Mami Wata, and Yemoja the premier mother energies of Kebulan.  Kabade Brown, will perform his single release “Obama’s Brighter Days” as a special treat during the Gwaride.   Additional entrants include a vintage Fire truck, New Orleans Second Line Dancers, Drill Teams, Car Clubs, Motorcycle Clubs, Churches, Fraternal Organizations, businesses, civic leaders, and dignitaries.  

This year’s royal figures will be community activist and author of the book “I Was There” Linda Jay, as our Iyaba (Queen) and independent film maker Walter Powell, producer and director of the award winning film “After School” as our Oba (King). For Linda Jay, Dec. 26th, the birthday of her late daughter Britany J. Phillips, will represent an end to her period of mourning the tragic July 2007 loss of her daughter. For Walter Powell, this represents recognition of his efforts to successfully produce an independent Black film with a positive message indicating that there is more than one way to market one’s creative product.  We are honored to announce the selection of these special individuals as our Iyaba and Oba.

For more information call: (323) 731-3330. Follow us on Facebook at “Kwanzaa Ndaba” – on You Tube at Kwanzaa Man and Kwanzaastuff and on “twitter” at “Kwanzaaman” for regular updates.  Hapi Kwanzaa One and all!