African American Family Festival 2006
Ernest Sanders
Published: October 30, 2006
Baba Seku and Mama Kimosha of Alyo educate and entertain Auburn-Gresham children.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
A two-day highly interactive and community outreach event for children and seniors in the Auburn-Gresham community, the 3rd Annual African American Festival, sponsored by the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC), proved to be a huge accomplishment.
Preschoolers listen attentively to African stories narrated by Alyo.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
The event’s success can be attributed to its partnership with the Chicago Public Library's Thurgood Marshall Branch, Alyo Dance Throop, preschools: Lots of Love, Eyas Developmental Institute, and Accounters Community Center, senior homes: St. Sabina Elders' Village, New Pisgah Haven Homes and Continental Plaza, 76th-78th Throop Street Block Club, 79th & Carpenter Street Block Club, 76th & Normal Street Block Club, Lagniappe Creole Cajun Joynt, Johnny Drummer & the Starlighters Blues Band, and Mr. Dan Montrel (stretch artist).
On Friday, October 27, 2006, approximately 150 enthusiastic preschool children entered the Thurgood Marshall Library doors and displayed a look of excitement as they just braved the mild-like fall weather elements. It was quite evident that regardless of the brisk temperature, the children enjoyed being outside and socializing with their classmates. Once unwrapped, each child was so well mannered that it really spoke highly of the type of quality child care each of these preschool organizations offers the Auburn-Gresham community.
A preshcooler pretends to play the Djembe (drum) on his lap.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
Their excitement was somewhat of a foreshadowing of the energy level exhibited by Alyo Dance Throop. Mama Kimosha and Baba Seku of Alyo told several African stories helping the children to foster creative minds and spirits. Along with the African stories, Mama Kimosha and Baba Seku sang songs, played African instruments called Shekere (shaker) and Djembe (drum), counted numbers, said hello & goodbye (in the African language of Swahili), and continuously reinforced the importance of “listening with your ears” with the children.
“What a terrific day for the children!” an administrator of “Lots of Love” shared with emcees Linda Johnson and Ernie Sanders of GADC.
A senior munches on grits, eggs and sausage provided by Lagniappe.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
The following day, approximately 100 seniors and guests arrived to the library to eat “a little something extra,” better known as Lagniappe, pronounced “Lan-yap”. The seniors chowed down on Creole and Cajun breakfast items to include grits, scrambled eggs, hash browns, turkey bacon, sausage patties, apple slices, biscuits and croissants. Of course there was plenty of orange juice and coffee to wash down their meal and get the seniors inspired to dance.
Inspiration not only came from the delicious meal, but also from community resident and senior, Ms. Willie Mae Williams. Ms. Williams got the crowd fired up and danced without her soft-shoe cast she bopped with at the previous senior breakfast hosted by GADC at the Winter Blues Festival 2006.
Francise Johnson, Lisa Daniels, & Zipporah Phillips graciously serve seniors breakfast.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
This two-day festival also received support from Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-31) and Andrew Holmes representing State Representative Milton Patterson (D-32). Also, this festival was conducive to many initiatives GADC aligns itself with as a New Communities Program (NCP) lead agency in Auburn-Gresham.
GADC would like to give a special shout out to the volunteers whom helped make these days enjoyable for both the preschool children and seniors. They are (in alphabetical order): Ms. Lisa Daniels, Ms. Wendy DeLoach, Ms. Kim Gray, Mr. John Harris, Ms. Francine Johnson, Mr. Rudelle Stanley Lesley, Mr. Kyle Nelson, Mrs. Zipporah Phillips, Ms. Vernice Ross, and Ms. Betty Swanson.