By ONME News Review
The African American Historical and Cultural Museum (AAHCMSJV) of the San Joaquin Valley held Kwanzaa at its facility from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa, bringing in various speakers from the community. Kwanzaa, meaning, "first fruits" allows for participants to acknowledge the fruits of their labor or harvest from the past year, also reviewing what needs to be worked on for the upcoming yea
Kwanzaa is a reflective celebration of African-based principles that originated in the United States in 1966 by founder Dr. Maulana Karenga; it is a celebration of community, family and culture, established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their roots and heritage. The Nguzo Saba, Kwanzaa’s seven principles, include – Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
Part one of the above 2021 Kwanzaa event video includes Kujichagulia keynote speaker, Chris Finley; Ujamaa keynote speaker, Mitchell Shaw and Nia keynote speaker, The Honorable Kimberly Tapscott-Munson.
Viewers can watch the Kwanzaa review programming throughout January on the ONME Network via TV, on CMAC channels Comcast Channel 99, AT & T Channel 93 and Apple TV.
Chris Finley is a dedicated community activist and advocate who has an engineering degree and architect background; he has been a secondary mathematics educator for over 20 years, serving as valuable role model for Black students.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Mitchell Shaw has called Fresno home for over 30 years. He and his beautiful wife Stephanie have been married for 26 years, have three adult children and two amazing grandchildren.
Mitchell is actively involved in local ministries, non-profit and community organizations. He volunteers as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), is a mental health advocate, and serves on various committees and boards which serve the underserved people of our community.
After spending the past 30 years in a management capacity in the construction industry, it is with great pride that Mitch calls himself a member of the Keller Williams Fresno real estate team.
The AAHCMSJV will hold the daily week-long events in the museum's main gallery, located at 1857 Fulton St., Fresno, CA 93721. Children are welcome, as there are also separate activities for them on some of the days.
Kimberly Tapscott-Munson is the board president of the Fresno County Board of Education, representing Trustee Area 1, serving Central, Firebaugh-Las Deltas, Golden Plains, Kerman, Mendota, Orange Center, West Fresno, West Park, and the southwest portion of Fresno. She assumed office in 2018. Her current term ends in 2022. She is also the business owner of KTM Consulting Services: The Answer… To All of Your Questions!" Under her company title, Tapscott-Munson serves as the Community Engagement Consultant to the City of Fresno.
Since she, her husband and three children set a permanent resident in Fresno, CA over 30 years ago, Tapscott-Munson’s compassion and empathy for the Fresno community and its children has been authentically ongoing; she made a conscientious decision to work for Fresno Unified School District for 20 years as a school librarian versus the corporate world.
She has resided in the city of Fresno, CA, District 3 for the past 14 years and has shown great care and pro-action in making it a safer community. Tapscott-Munson was a lead plaintiff in the last class action lawsuit against Darling International with the help of other outstanding community leaders that came before her. Fresno City Council voted for their relocation.
Tapscott-Munson also had the opportunity to work alongside other southwest residents on the Transformative Climate Communities Project #5 which they created, proposed, and was awarded $70,000,000.00 for improvements to southwest Fresno, China Town and Downtown Fresno, winning with a unanimous vote, minus one.
As a community advocate, Tapscott-Munson is a member and/or involved in various community organizations:
AKA ALPHA NU OMEGA, Oakland, CA Chapter: Legacy Member
BWOPA (Black Women Organized for Political Action) Political Educational Chair and LifeTime Member * Endorsed Candidate
NAACP (National Advancement for Colored People) Member
Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce Member
BAPAC (Member)
BLOC (Member)
Fresno County Democratic Party Communication Committee Member
Fresno County Democratic Party Fundraiser Committee Member
Fresno Stonewall Democratic Club * Endorsed Candidate
NWPC (National Women's Political Caucus) *Endorsed Candidate
Fresno County Democratic Women's Club *Endorsed Candidate
Kennedy Club Member
Alzheimer Association Volunteer
Supporter of the Fresno County Young Democrats
And a member of the African-American Museum
Outside the community, Tapscott-Munson is a loving mother of three, daughter, wife, and grandmother who cherishes the presence of family in her life always, as her support system and foundation.
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