CONTACT: Kimberly Howard, pwvjackandjillfc@gmail.com • (503) 702-0124 • www.jackandjillportland.org
Ujamaa Virtual Marketplace: A Celebration of Cooperative Economics, hosted by the Portland WIllamette Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill on December 29 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
A Kwanzaa celebration to celebrate the principle of Ujamaa, which encourages community and families “to build and maintain our own stores, shops” and honoring African American history, culture and heritage.
Portland, December 8, 2020. The Portland Willamette Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, will celebrate the fourth day of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) on Tuesday, December 29 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. by hosting a virtual marketplace featuring local Black-owned businesses.
In the spirit of unity, interested parties are invited to pre-register here to gain free admission into the virtual space that will feature music, lighting of the fourth candle of Kwanzaa and opening ceremony led by elder Joyce Harris and featured vendors. On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, Tuesday, December 29, the principle of Ujamaa is celebrated. The principle encourages the community and families “to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.” The participating vendors are Black-owned and operated, small businesses, providing an array of services ranging from spirits to tea, from skin care to barbeque sauce.
“As an organization dedicated to developing the Black leaders of tomorrow, we are honored to showcase this celebration, reaffirming our culture and investing in economic growth and prosperity for our community, on this day, by buying Black and buying local,” says Kimberly Howard, Foundation Committee Chair for the Portland Willamette Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America.
The Swahili word “Kwanzaa,” meaning “first fruits of the harvest,” is a seven-day cultural celebration, which begins December 26 and ends January 1, was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a medium for African Americans to reaffirm culture and heritage, bringing together family and community to focus on shared values. Kwanzaa is one week long and each day is dedicated to a principle. Kwanzaa’s seven principles – unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani). The seven principles of Kwanzaa are reminders to embrace and practice year round by community members of all ages, while reflecting on the past, honoring ancestors and looking forward to the future that lies ahead.
About the Portland Willamette Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill
The Portland Willamette Valley Chapter is a five-star chapter of excellence. Our organization is a membership organization dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening our children through service projects and annual programming activities guided under a general five point programmatic thrust: cultural awareness, educational development, health (education and advocacy), civic (legislative advocacy and service) and social/recreational areas. Our national theme is The Power to Make a Difference. More information is available at: at www.jackandjillportland.org
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