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Seven receive Men of Kwanzaa awards

Surrounding the Men of Kwanzaa are the the members of the Sunshine Circle Club. Shown in back are (l-r) Christa Edwards, Waynne Paskins, Gilda Howard, Bernice Edwards, Hattie Bull, Christine Edwards, Courtney Edwards, Roshi Bull Turner, Dana Paskins and Stephanie Collick. In front are Charlotte King and Men of Kwanza recipients Melvin Mitchell, Dan Cook, Bishop Alfred Cannon, Calvin Jackson, Cliffvon Howell and Chester Hope. Absent from the picture is Donald G. Thomas Sr. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
January 8, 2026

The Sunshine Circle Club marked its upcoming 64th anniversary and its fourth annual Kwanzaa Recognition Awards Celebration Dec. 27, at First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown.

The program recognized community members who embodied the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja – unity; Kujichagulia – self-determination; Ujima – collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa – cooperative economics; Nia – purpose; Kuumba – creativity; and Imani – faith.

This year’s awardees, Men of Kwanzaa, were Cliffvon Howell – Umoja; Melvin Mitchell – Kujichagulia; Calvin Jackson – Ujima; Chester Hope – Ujamaa; Donald G. Thomas Sr. – Nia; Dan Cook – Kuumba; and Bishop Alfred Cannon – Imani.

The seven principles that form Kwanzaa’s core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent.

 

 

Receiving the Men of Kwanza Award for Kuumba (creativity) is Dan Cook from the Cape Gazette newspaper.
Sunshine Circle Club President Hattie Bull welcomes attendees to the Men of Kwanza Award ceremony.
Roshi Bull-Turner is the mistress of ceremonies.
Waynne Paskins gives the history of Kwanzaa.
Cliffvon Howell thanks the Sunshine Circle Club for the Umoja (unity) Award.
Charlotte King introduces Melvin Mitchell who received the Kujichagulia (self-determination) award.
Melvin Mitchell receives the Kujichagulia (self-determination) award.
Waynne Paskins introduces Calvin Jackson who received the Ujima (collective work and responsibility) award.
Calvin Jackson receives the Ujima (collective work and responsibility) award.
Courtney Edwards introduces Ujamaa (cooperative economics) award recipient Chester Hope.
Chester Hope receives the Ujamaa (cooperative economics) award.
Gilda Howard speaks of Donald G. Thomas Sr. who received the Nia (purpose) award in absentia.
Dana Paskins introduces Kuumba (creativity) award recipient Dan Cook.
Dana Paskins presents the Kuumba (creativity) award to Dan Cook, who wears a kufi cap for respect to the Sunshine Circle Club award.
Bernice Edwards introduces Imani (faith) recipient Bishop Alfred Cannon.
Bishop Alfred Cannon was awarded the Imani (faith) award.

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