On Sunday, November 2, 2014, the Julius K. Nyerere Commemoration committee will convene its 6th Annual program commemorating the life and work of Julius Kambarage Nyerere at Gallery Serengeti, located at 7919 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20743, 301.808.6987 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
The exciting program will feature DC's own singer/ songwriter Luci Murphy; dancer/singer/songwriter Anna Mwalagho from Kenya, well-known to the Tanzanian community; griot and master storyteller Baba-C; Dr. John Rutayuga of Ukimwi Orphans Assistance; Alexander Valentin Rodriguez Salazar, 2nd Secretary of the Cuban Interest Section, and drummer/dancer/African cultural expert extraordinaire Melvin Deal.
The Gallery is an apt venue for this important program, with
its phenomenal African art displays, operated by Wisson West, who spent some of his formative years in Tanzania and has been a supporter of the Julius K. Nyerere Commemorations since their inception.
its phenomenal African art displays, operated by Wisson West, who spent some of his formative years in Tanzania and has been a supporter of the Julius K. Nyerere Commemorations since their inception.
Our keynoter is Elvira Williams, Executive Director of A.H.E.A.D., through which she, with her husband/ partner Dr. Irving Williams, has for 32 years been providing critical maternal and infant care services in Tanzania, that have vastly improved that nation's infant mortality rate.
Invitees include representatives from the Tanzanian Embassy, Gloria Minott of WPFW-FM, DC's own René Henry, and have included Dr. Baruch ben Yehudah of Everlasting Life Health Complex, Mwiza Munthali of TransAfrica and Jessica Mushala of S.H.I.N.A. Inc. The program will also feature a Tanzanian style auction of African art.
Who was Julius Kambarage Nyerere and why should we commemorate his life and work? Simply put, he was a man who built a political career fighting poverty, ignorance and disease – and winning!
This program was begun by Leticia Nyerere (now MP, Tanzanian Parliament) and local activist/admirer Rick Tingling-Clemmons, in collaboration with a number of Tanzanians, to commemorate the life and work of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first President of Tanzania, who was a visionary leader – kind, astute, a dedicated educator who led the nation to adopt Swahili as a national language and embraced the title Mwalimu, Swahili for teacher, and implemented Ujamaa, Swahili for collective work and responsibility.
He authored several books; was a tactician and a pan-Africanist who materially supported many of his fellow African nations' liberation movements. Nyerere – a great human being generally, and a great African in particular.
Commemorating his life and continuing his work should be seen as one of the keys that will unlock the miseries of today's woes as we fight against poverty, ignorance and disease the world over.
We encourage you to attend this family-friendly life-affirming event!
Donations: $25 in advance; $35 at the door. Refreshments served
[checks should be made out to Rick Tingling-Clemmons; put 'Nyerere Commemoration' in legend]
For more information, contact Rick Tingling-Clemmons at miricotc@gmail.com or 202.388.1111.
