Medgar Evers collective collecting to feed the needy
Actress Hillary Roosevelt Ricketts learning about the
‘Breadfruit’ from Braata Folk Singers members. Photo
courtesy of Braata Folk Singers, fi le
Caribbean Life, December 11-17, 2020 11
‘Tis the season for giving.
And traditionally at this time
of year, the People of the Sun
Middle Passage Collective at
Medgar Evers are renowned for
mobilizing volunteers to give to
some of Brooklyn’s most disfranchised
residents by providing an
annual holiday fare.
In conjunction with the Student
Life Student Government,
MEC Women’s Center, SEEK,
and Crown Heights Youth Collective,
this year they have collaborated
to partner with shelters
for an alternative philanthropic
holiday initiative and community
outreach.
“Sadly we will not be holding
our annual Feeding the Needy
community dinner and gifts
drive at Medgar Evers,” a recent
press release said.
For the first time in 53 years
with still surging infectious rates
from COVID-19 the daylong family,
feast of Kwanza activities has
been cancelled.
However, Akeem, director of
the Collective wants to make it
very clear, the mission to ‘Feeding
The Need’ is as vigorous as
ever and will prevail this month.
To that effort he is reminding
civic minded citizens of the need
for donations.
In the spirit of the season, a
toy drive is urgently needed.
In addition to a need for new
unwrapped toys, new socks,
gloves, scarves and other winter
gear will be appreciated.
Donations can be dropped off
at 147 Rockaway Ave. (between
Fulton & Herkimer) between
Tuesdays to Saturdays any time
after 3 pm. Donors are urged to
call the location prior to delivering
packages. The telephone
number is 718-342-6257.
For more information, contact
him at 718-659-4999.
Checks will be accepted and
should be made out to MEC/
Ancestors of the Middle Passage
Collective. The above mailing
address should include Brooklyn
11233.
FREE CARIBBEAN
CHRISTMAS GRAND
MARKET
Andrew Clarke, executive
director of Braata Productions is
ecstatic that the Caribbean company
is in the midst of celebrating
a decade.
Launched to “showcase the
best of the Caribbean and its people,”
10 years ago, Clarke is dedicated
to maintaining the integrity
of the catchy patois moniker
which interprets “we give you
something more!”
The 2020 bonus offers a
rebranded presentation titled
‘Christmas Grand Market: A Caribbean
Celebration.’
Initially referred to as Ole
Time Grand Market, a free virtual
version will debut on Dec.
13 at 5 pm.
“Braata will be replicating
the family Christmas tradition
every December… incorporating
customs from other Caribbean
territories and culminating
with a grand concert,” Clarke
explained.
Hosted by Jamaican TV presenter
and actress Dahlia Harris,
live performances by the Braata
Folk Singers, the Alliouagana
Singers from Montserrat, Amantes
de Parranda from Trinidad
and Tobago, Cesca from Antigua
and a myriad of cultural and folkloric
groups from the Caribbean
region are slated.
Familiar to Braata fans who
have travelled from borough to
borough each December to experience
face paintings, jonkonoo,
live folk music, holiday crafts,
foods and nostalgic references,
the “market is a longstanding
Christmas tradition in Jamaica
mostly practiced today in rural
parts of the island.”
Clarke explained that the tradition
evolved “after Christmas
morning church service, the
community would be out in their
numbers in the town square,
or an open lot participating in
a variety of games and competitions
for all ages, many gifts
items were on display, and food
and drink were in constant supply
and demand and a great time
was had all throughout the day.
“
In order to join the virtual
celebration, register for the Facebook
live stream at braataproductions.
org
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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