NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 26, 1999

KWANZAA FOUNDER SPEAKS IN CARY TOMORROW

CARY, NC –Kwanzaa Founder Dr. Maulana Karenga will be the guest speaker at the Town of Cary’s fifth annual Kwanzaa celebration to be held on Monday, December 27^th from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Cary Community Center, 404 North Academy Street. Dr. Karenga, after participating in a news conference at 10:00 AM and a book signing at 11:00 AM in the Community Center, will address the celebrants at 1:00 PM.

"As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense," says Dr. Karehga about Kwanzaa.

Currently a professor and Chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, Dr. Karenga is the author of several books and scholarly articles including Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. He is also Chair of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO). Dr. Karenga holds two Ph.D.'s; his first in political science with focus on the theory and practice of nationalism from the United States International University and his second in social ethics with a focus on the classical African ethics of ancient Egypt from the University of Southern California. Dr. Karenga also served as a member of the executive council of the National Organizing Committee of the Million Man March/Day of Absence and authored the Mission Statement for this joint project, as well as co-edited the recent book: The Million Man March/Day of Absence: A Commemorative Anthology.

"Having Dr. Karenga in Cary is a great honor," said Cary Town Council member Jess Ward. "Of all the places in the world he could be for Kwanzaa, he has chosen our Kwanzaa celebration. I hope citizens throughout the Triangle will take advantage of this tremendous opportunity."

For more information about Kwanzaa and its founder, visit the official Kwanzaa website at www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org.

The Town of Cary sponsors the Kwanzaa Celebration through the Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources and in association with The Ujima Group, Inc. For more information, please call 462-3864.

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