Kwanzaa 2025 - Program

Special thanks to our Event Sponsor:

STSI & COMMUNITY PARTNERS KWANZAA CELEBRATION Sunday, December 28, 2025 | 2:30PM Hotel NOMA | New Rochelle, N.Y. Celebrating Ujamaa (Cooperative economics) and supporting Black Businesses Kwanzaa is a celebration that honors our African heritage in African-American culture and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating with a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba) and celebrates family, community, and culture. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University. It was first celebrated in 1966.

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Program FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE Welcome STSI Greetings Kwanzaa Prayer Pouring Libation – Connecting with the Ancestors Community Greetings & Acknowledgements Dinner Served & Spotlight Vendors Candle Lighting Ceremony African Dancing Wrap-up

About STSI Founded in 1994 by Dr. Cheryl Brannan and her family, Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization whose mission is to motivate, educate, train, and advocate for the advancement of women, girls and families of African descent locally and globally.

In 2019 STSI undertook a seminal research project, “Still I Rise: Status of Black Women and Girls in Westchester County” to better understand the scope of the issues facing Black women and girls in Westchester County.

The research led STSI to adopt a collective impact framework collaborating with community partners and established workgroups, focused on 4 strategic pillars: 1) 2) 3) 4)

STEM & STEAM Education, Health and Wellness/Black Maternal Health, Juvenile and Social Justice Entrepreneurship, Pay Equity & Economic Prosperity

STSI holds Special Consultative Status, with the UN since 2004, engaging in global activities and co-hosts an annual event during the UN Commission on the Status of Women conference.

Did you know?

In 2010 STSI offered the first ever STEM/STEAM summer camp in the Lower Hudson Valley New York region for Black and Brown Girls. This has since matured into a highly acclaimed year-round academy.

Our groundbreaking STEM and STEAM offerings introduce middle and high school girls to the world of science and math through a cultural lens, including advance introduction to these subjects by accomplished professionals that serve as role models. This ultimately enhances student selfconfidence and competency, as well as, life and career choices.

The program has had a life altering impact on the outlook of over 1,000 girls and their families.

VENDORS Arthur Pinckney Art Keisha Cox Health & Wellness Kim Young Custom made clothing Leslie Allicks Organic loose-leaf teas, tea-themed accessories, and gifts Sha-kee Williams Avon; bath and body, perfume, makeup and jewelry April Vinson Scented Beeswax Candles, Reed Diffusers, Car Diffusers, Room Sprays YASSIN JOOF African Clothing & Jewlery Marilyn Turton TBD Phyllis Grant TBD Deandra Riley-Simpson TBD

Special Thanks to our 2024 Kwanzaa Celebration Committee:

Germaine Scott, Ghia Clark, Deana Nelson, Tsahai Amazan, Brenda Bracey, Deana Nelson, Georgia Reid-Douglas, Athena Dent-Alleyne, Charmaine Golding, Dr. Marcia Keizs and Lauren Williams.

Please support our vendors by making a purchase today and check out our online Black Business Directory at https://www.s2si.org/stsi-blackbusinessdirectory ~ s2si.org ~ info@s2si.org ~ P.O. Box 351 Yonkers, NY 10703 ~ 914-207-0368

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STSI MEMBERSHIP

Members are the life force of Sister to Sister International, Inc. and as such are relied upon to make the organization successful in attaining its mission and strategic objectives. We invite new members to join us and “Catch the Spirit!”

STSI implements its mission-driven programs and signature activities through volunteer committee members. Our programs and activities are produced throughout the year, along with quarterly membership check-ins.