NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 1999

CARY HOSTS KWANZAA FOUNDER AT FIFTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

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. 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. 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.

The theme of this year’s free, daylong celebration is "Embracing The Values of Kwanzaa: Ancient Principles for a New Era". Activities are again aimed at the entire family, featuring a children’s village, ethnic foods, and a global marketplace. Also appearing at this year’s celebration is Dr. Chuck Davis, founder and artistic director of the African-American Dance Ensemble. Dr. Davis is a world-renowned performer and choreographer of traditional African Dance. He will lead a procession of elders into the celebration area, lead a participatory workshop, and perform African dances.

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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