29TH ANNUAL KWANZAA HOLIDAY EXPO THIS WEEKEND

Celebration features holiday shopping extravaganza

by black owned businesses

Better Family Life (BFL) Inc.’s “Real Black Friday,” a chance for African American owned businesses and African Americans to join in the spirit of last month’s national Black Friday that kicked off the Christmas shopping season for retailers, was postponed due to the unrest in Ferguson following a grand jury’s non- indictment in the Michael Brown shooting death case.

The revamped “Buy Black this holiday shopping season” push, is now part of the Kwanzaa Holiday Expo this Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and this Sunday, Noon – 7 p.m. in the newly renovated 60,000 sq. ft. Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd.  Donation is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration which had its birth in the United States that honors African heritage in African American culture. Kwanzaa is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles which are known as the Nguzo Saba. The holiday was first celebrated in December 1966.

The Better Family Life Kwanzaa Holiday Expo is an annual event catering to the individual or business looking to promote or sell their product or service. The Expo is a celebration of the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics: To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together), which celebrates culture, responsible consumerism, and entrepreneurship.

Set up as a modern version of an African village, the Expo features the Kwanzaa House, which provides educational information and activities, and demonstrates ways to celebrate Kwanzaa; the Essences of Earth Salon and Spa, where visitors can get their hair done, a manicure or pedicure; the Kwanzaa Children’s Village, as well as great entertainment and food. The Expo also features a marketplace complete with rare artwork from around the world, apparel, jewelry, accessories, home goods, body care essentials, and more from local and national business owners.

Performances include: Julius Williams, Man of a Thousand Voices; Tribe Azuka, North and West African dance; Ptah Williams Jazz Ensemble; K.Y.P.E, Kuumba Youth Performance Ensemble; Anita Jackson and Jeremiah Allen; and Ayati RaRa, Haitian music and dance.

The creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, will speak at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 13. Karenga’s visit is presented by the new Afrikan Paradigm Study Group.

 “If you were planning on attending The Real Black Friday event sponsored by BFL, please expect the same great variety of products and services at the Kwanzaa Holiday Expo, along with fun activities and entertainment that makes this event a hit every year,” said DeBorah Ahmed of Better Family Life.

For inquires about the event, to purchase space as a vendor or to buy a ticket, please contact: 314-367-3440, ext. 9199.  The website is www.KwanzaaHolidayExpo.com.

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About Better Family Life, Inc.

Established in 1983, Better Family Life, Inc. (BFL) is a 501c3 non-profit community development corporation that is dedicated to the prosperity and growth of the American family. BFL’s mission is to plan and establish social, cultural, artistic, youth, economic, housing, and educational, programs that help to promote positive and innovative life changing experiences.

Much of BFL’s programming is geared toward people who are unemployed, underemployed, disadvantaged and skill-deficient. Better Family Life took residence in its new headquarters, The Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center world class institution, 5415 Page Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63112 in 2013. For more information about BFL, please visit:  www.betterfamilylife.org.