Youth instruct elders, peers in the principles of Kwanzaa

By James L. Stroud, Jr.
Contributing Writer

Pictured in the large photo at top left, are, first row, l-r: Ania Larkin, Kiaree Jackson, Salom Ametor, Abdiquani Dhimbil; second row, l-r: Arieanna Williams-Bass, Sienna Echols, Margaret Myers, Makaila Miller, Jonea Wilson-Hardy, Tiffany McGowen, Asjiauna Boswell, Anika Logan, Maryan Farey, Victoria Myers, Kyalah Allbritton, Ananda White; third row, l-r: Tavoris Thompson, Jordan Miller, Linda Benford (adult) Mark Miller, DeJauntae Boswell, Davant Moore, Sedrique Ametor, Abucar Mohamed; adults on side by food: Jasmine Gilbert, Kenna Cottman and Josh Georgiade.

On Tuesday, December 14, from 6 to 8 pm, the We Win Institute presented its 14th annual Kwanzaa Celebration to the community. The celebration was free and open to the public at Zion Baptist Church in North Minneapolis.

Good food and beverages filled the tables while dancers performed traditional African dances to the beat of lively drummers. About 30 of the We Win Institute’s students put on different hats and took on the role as teachers for the evening.

Each student in turn spoke to those in attendance about the history and the different principles of Kwanzaa. The We Win institute students also entertained the audience with songs and spoken word poetry.

We Win Institute; Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the academic and social success of all children. Titilayo Bediako, who also serves as the executive director, founded the We Win Institute in 1995 and began programming in 1996.

Since it began, according to Bediako, We Win Institute has served over 4,000 students. Currently, the We Win Institute program has over 250 students between three locations: Cooper High School, Zion Baptist Church, and a building on the corner of 38th St. and 3rd Avenue South in Minneapolis formerly known as the Greater Friendship Church.

For more information about how you can become a volunteer, donate your time, or enroll your child in the We Win Institute programs, contact Titilayo Bediako at 612-226-8340. You can also find the We Win Institute online at www.we-win.org.
James L. Stroud, Jr. welcomes reader comment to jlstroud@spokesman-recorder.com.