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.

April 6 conference seeks positive solutions to “rid the separation” to help teens make healthier lifestyle choices

 Demingo Loggins is a spokesman for the “No Bullying” and “Don’t Text and Drive” High School Tour presented by R&B/Hip-Hop radio station, WHHL Hot 104.1 FM."

By Walter Pritchard
Soaring High Media Group
walt@soaringhighmediagroup.com

“It’s All About You” is the theme of the conference and will feature sessions on financial literacy, esteem, etiquette, education and healthy family relationships. The conference is open to youth and adults who work with youth such as caregivers, community leaders, health professionals, family members and ministers.  

 

“There's too much separation in the home, community, school and also in the church,” said conference host and organizer, Demingo Loggins, who’s “Real Talk with DeMingo” online interactive website is sponsoring the event.  “The conference is designed to bring everyone together and learn together and to rid the separation.”
 

The inaugural Growth-N-Development Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ward Chapel Church, 11410 Old Halls Ferry Road in Florissant, MO 63033. 

Adult admission is $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Youth admission, age 12 and under, is $8. The registration deadline is April 4. For more information and registration visit: www.realtalkwithdemingo.com or call 314-495-9855.

 “We want to leave with our guests the tools necessary to embrace positive and productive solutions, while gleaning insightful information necessary to become effective leaders in our society,” he said. “I also want to challenge teens to tackle the most pressing issues of today in hopes of achieving positive lifestyles choices.”

Photo opportunities and information tables with a variety of resources will be available in the fellowship hall along with lunch for all registered attendees.

In addition to Loggins, the conference will highlight other motivational speakers with an array of expertise, including: 

•  Darlene Y. Martin – Founder and President of Money Smarts School of Finance for Children and Money Smarts University.

• Michelle P. Bowie – more than 10 years of experience teaching in public school systems in St. Louis city and county and the Special School District.  She currently is the Healthy Marriage/Relationship Educator at Better Family Life.

• Edward Fisher II – Etiquette consultant

• Nathan Ivy - pursuing a Master’s degree at Washington University; active member of the Kossuth Church of God In Christ

 Loggin’s interest in bridging the gap between youth and adults stems of his extended relationships with the teens through his employment with Better Family Life Inc., initially as a job placement specialist and now as an instructor since 2010 in President Barack Obama’s Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program through Better Family Life (BFL), is a nonprofit, cultural and community development organization founded in 1983.

In his work with BFL, he became profoundly aware of the difficult barriers that needed to be addressed, such as transportation, teen pregnancy, low self-esteem, hygiene, verbal/physical abuse, sex, HIV and other issues. He also is a spokesman for the “No Bullying” and “Don’t Text and Drive” High School Tour presented by R&B/Hip-Hop radio station, WHHL “Hot 104.1” FM.

A 1996 graduate of Hazelwood East High School, he holds a degree in criminal justice/communication from Lindenwood University and is working on his Master’s Degree in communications. He and his wife, Regina, have five children in a “blended family”.