[L-R] Carlyle McKetty, President of CPR; Ceejay Saunders; Andrew Fuller; Maulyn Powell and Sharon Gordon, Chair of CPR
Year End Kwanzaa and Community Appreciation
On December 27th the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Inc, celebrated their annual Kwanzaa and Community Appreciation event at the Lounge in New York City. As always, organizers of the event invited attendees to donate well needed schools supplies for basic school students in Jamaica. Although it rained cats and dogs the event was well attended and many came out with their children to support the organization but to also honor the seven individuals who were being recognized by the organization with the first annual CPR Service Awards for their tireless service to the Brooklyn based non profit. Recipients of the first annual CPR Service Awards, who have all served the organization in various capacities are award winning visual artist, Laura James; sound engineer, Andrew Fuller of Full Spectrum Audio; videographers, David Curtin and Roland Hyde; Darlene Pantophlet, Mauyln Powell and Ceejay Saunders.
The annual event was a celebration of the second principle of Nguzo Saba, Kujichagulia which means self determination. Providing musical entertainment for the night was the Anthem Band along with saxophonist, Jerry Johnson and roots reggae singers Ossie Dellimore, Major Daps and Noel Jones. Cater Van Pelt was the selector for the evening and food was catered by Totally Delicious Restaurant. As always, the event shared pertinent facts about the cultural celebration of Kwanzaa which takes place from December 26th through January 1st. This year, supplies will be collected through January 15th and can be delivered to the offices of CPR by appointment.
