Kwanzaa event is scheduled at school

YOUNGSTOWN -- Children at the Youngstown Afterschool Alliance site at East Middle School will show off their singing, dancing and drumming skills as part of a Kwanzaa Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the school.
Brother K from Radio 102 JAMZ will be the keynote speaker for the event.
About 60 children in fifth through eighth grade will participate, said Angie Cameron, project director of the alliance. The families of pupils are invited, and everyone will be asked to participate in a "Karmama," which is Swahili for "community table."
Youngstown Afterschool Alliance staff and East Middle School staff will prepare a hot dish for the meal with items donated by Giant Eagle. Families are invited to bring a dish, although it isn't required, Cameron said, as the idea of Karmama is that everyone bring food to share.
The alliance contracts with Harambee of Youngstown Inc. to teach the children African dancing, singing and drumming.
Kwanzaa, Swahili for "first fruit," is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The meaning and rituals of Kwanzaa will be explained at the celebration.