Join Padua Center for the Annual Kwanzaa Celebration

Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson

December 28, 2015 at 6:00 PM

Join the Kwanzaa Park Neighbors in honoring Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson with a special recognition for her service to the Kwanzaa Park Neighborhood.

A candle lighting ceremony will take place at 6:30 PM, followed by an Open House at Padua Center which will continue until 7:30 PM. Padua Center invites members of the community, as well as the city to join us.

A highlight of the Kwanzaa celebration will be a special presentation to Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson. Oscar Shaheer, chair of Kwanzaa Park Neighbors, said the group is honoring Mayor Hicks-Hudson because of her involvement in the neighborhood when she served as City Council Representative for District 4. She regularly attended the Kwanzaa Park Neighbors meetings and assisted in various projects.

Oscar Shaheer

Mr. Oscar Shaheer will welcome guest Diane Gordon of Kwanzaa House who will lead the celebration. Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration, includes a Libation Ceremony in honor of ancestors, the lighting of the Kinara, education, family activities and food to share. In addition to the celebration of the Nguzo Saba principle of Ujima (collective work) there will be guests from the Buffalo Soldiers.

Diane Gordon

The Kwanzaa Park Neighborhood borders Dorr, Brown, Klondike and Hawley Streets. Members of the Kwanzaa Park Neighborhood meet monthly at Padua Center to investigate ways to work together (Ujima) and improve the neighborhood.

Blessed Christmas to all the friends of Padua Center

Thanks to your generosity we received nearly $3,000 on Giving Tuesday!

As we come to the end of 2015, we thank you for your generosity over the past year and look forward to expanding our programs to help children and create a beautiful garden to feed our neighborhood! All of this is because of your generosity!