For the first five years of the annual Kwanzaa Celebration, LaFern Joseph opened the doors of her store, The Fern Tree, by rearranging and moving the colorful African clothing and goods, to make way for folding chairs, a few tables to hold food, and a small spot for a band to play. The first Kwanzaa Celebration was held on December 26, 2015. There was live music performed by Saxmo and Percy Beamon, percussion and vocal performances by Sanjra Livingston, poetry recitations by Shshi, and music by international jazz saxophonist and Peekskill’s very own Ray Blue.
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The first Kwanzaa Celebration held inside The Fern Tree in 2015. Photo courtesy: The Fern Tree
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The first Kwanzaa Celebration held inside The Fern Tree in 2015 featuring Ray Blue. Photo courtesy: The Fern Tree
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Sister LaFern Jospeh at the first Kwanzaa Celebration held inside The Fern Tree in 2015. Photo courtesy: The Fern Tree
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The first Kwanzaa Celebration held inside The Fern Tree in 2015. Photo courtesy: The Fern Tree
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The first Kwanzaa Celebration flyer that stated an annual tradition from 2015. Photo courtesy: The Fern Tree
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Ten years later, on Saturday, December 28, 2024 the 10th annual Kwanzaa Ball will take place on the second floor of the Peekskill Central Firehouse, more than quadrupling the amount of people that first attended the annual event started in 2015.
From humble beginnings to now hosting the 10th annual Kwanzaa Ball, the Sisters in Support organization has been ensuring Peekskill celebrates African and African-American culture in proper fashion.
This annual event brings the community together to celebrate and educate the principles of Kwanzaa which include self-determination, collectivism, and faith in ourselves and each other.
This year, Sisters in Support will honor outstanding individuals in the Peekskill community with the 2024 Champion of the People awards. Honorees include Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Sister Francis Berry and Dr. William Sales.
Vivian McKenzie is the owner and operator of the iconic Kathleen’s Tea Room and Kathleen’s Tea Room Food Truck. Vivian is the first African American woman to serve as the Mayor of the City of Peekskill. Mayor McKenzie is a member of the African American Mayors Association, New York State Conference of Mayors, and on numerous other boards and associations throughout Westchester County and New York State.
Sister Francis Berry has been a political activist, advocate for seniors, a volunteer and election poll worker for over 20 years. She worked at the Montrose Veterans Administration for 25 years and then the next 29+ years with the Peekskill City School District. Sister Berry is a role model for everyone encouraging people with life skills and experience she has gained over the past 95 years of her life.
Dr. William Sales is a Professor Emeritus and past Chairperson of the Department of Africana Studies and Director of the Center of African American Studies at Seton Hall University. Dr. Sales is a recognized expert on Malcolm X, and the author of two books, From Civil Rights to Black Liberation: Malcolm X and the Organization of Afro-American Unity (South End Press 1994) and Southern Africa/Black America: Same Struggle, Same Fight (Black Liberation Press, 1977).
As in past Kwanzaa Balls, there will be scholarships for Peekskill High School students to help them alleviate some of the costs of college. The Kwanzaa Ball will have live music by the R&B band, Double R. Local DJ, Pete Peterson will be keeping the party going and people dancing the rest of the evening. A full assortment of Soul Food and vegetarian food will ensure that no one goes home hungry.
The dress code for the evening is African Elegance. Tickets for the 10th annual Kwanzaa Ball are $60 per ticket and $50 for seniors 65 years or older. However, tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling 914-382-9226 or stopping by The Fern Tree located at 13 South Division Street in the center of downtown Peekskill. The Fern Tree is open from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and next Thursday and Friday.
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Clothing inside The Fern Tree
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Clothing inside The Fern Tree
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Fine jewelry inside The Fern Tree
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Inside The Fern Tree
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A wide assortment of incense inside The Fern Tree
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Inside The Fern Tree
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Inside The Fern Tree
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The Fern Tree Photo courtesy of their website
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Sisters in Support is a nonprofit 501 c-3 organization incorporated in 1997 that aids minority women & families here in Peekskill and the surrounding communities. The organization provides environments, opportunities, and/or publications sharing information and education about parenting, healthcare, career development, budgeting, housekeeping, housing, human development, childcare, and the like.
For the past 27 years, Sisters in Support has also sponsored the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Tour in Peekskill. The organization continues to support and educate people about Peekskill’s unique long and storied history of the Underground Railroad and its many historic sites. In addition, they hold annual holiday toy drives and coat drives with donations directly going back into the local community. For more information about Sister’s in Support, visit their website sisterinsupportinc.org.
Don’t forget to tell everyone at the 10th annual Kwanzaa Ball and LaFern at The Fern Tree, you read about it in the Peekskill Herald.
December is the final month of the Peekskill Herald’s big annual fundraising campaign – where every dollar donated is matched, dollar for dollar, by major national funders through our partnership with NewsMatch. Please help by donating to keep this 501c3 news organization thriving.
