Passing Traditions to the Next Generation", Theme of 21st Annual Holiday Expo, Offers Solutions to Youth Violence Increase

This 21 year-old tradition, reknown as the oldest, East-Coast celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa, offers an alternative economic empowerment opportunity to the African American community during the stress-ful, highly, commercial holiday season, which furthers focuses on youth entrepreneurship for crime and violence prevention.

(PRWEB) December 15, 2004 -- After a 10 year decrease in the District of Columbia, the 2003-04 spike in youth violence and crime witnessed 25 young people killed as a result of gun violence or gang related activity. This years 21st Annual African American Holiday Expo-MarketPlace Festival, to be held, Sat/Sun, Dec. 18-19 from 10 a.m-6 p.m. at the Reeves Center, 14th and U Streets, N.W., Washington, D. C., will be dedicated to two who have participated in the event as YouthPreneurs"-- Imtiaz Mohammed, murdered at age 23 as the 24th D.C. youth victim and Lamman Rucker, age 30, who attributes his current success as a professional actor on UPN-T.Vs All of Us", to his early entrepreneur training. Passing on Traditions to the Next Generation" is this years event theme which highlights the non-profit, African American Holiday Association (AAHA) on-going concerns with youth crime and violence prevention, as it partners with a more-youth driven organization, One Common Unity (OCU) to produce the oldest, east-coast celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa. Keeping with past tradition, the Expos MarketPlace Festival is FREE and open to the public with donations supporting AAHAs YEP (Youth Entrepreneur Project) .

Ayo Handy Kendi , AAHAs founder/director stated, In 1989, AAHA launched YEP, as one of the first training programs within a special event designed to grow leaders through youth entrepreneurship for crime and violence prevention, successfully motivating over 1000 youth towards economic self help. While the toys for tots" concept generates an outpouring of community support, community donations to AAHAs YEP has made the critical difference between an enterprising youth going into street drug sales feeling hard-pressed to have a good holiday verses selling tee shirts at his own legal vendor stand.

AAHA YEP seeks out community partners whose donations subsidize a hands-on, learning and earning experience for Youth, ages 9-16, who can then apply as an Expo Assistant and ages 17-25, who get a cut-rate deal on a Youthpreneur vending booth for the marketing of their own crafts, products or services. A youth training workshop was held on Dec 8, at the Reeves Center with over 50 youth in attendance.

More than a gift-show, the event offers unique shopping with over 100 merchants, artists, health providers, businesses and Youthpreneurs" with 2 floors of fun activities for the entire family, a Health Fair and health screenings, a Food Court, an Interfaith Service, Spirit/Mind/Body Workshops and Entertainment featuring Olympic Medalist/Entrepreneur, Jair Lynch, award-winning childrens author, Eloise Greenfield, Black Notes, Metro Man and 15 year-old BET, rising star, Marky, and much more to stop the violence, to increase the peace.

Recognized by a D.C. City Council Resolution by Councilmember Jim Graham, the Expo further partners with the D. C. Lottery Board, Industrial Bank, Chartered Health Plan, First Mortgage America, News Dimensions, Washington Informer, WPFW-FM, Sun Trust Bank, ANC 1-B, and the Jair Lynch Development Company.

AAHA offers youth entrepreneur training year-round and Kwanzaa workshops, storytelling and holiday wellness seminars, seasonally. Contact 202-667-2577 or view www.aaha-info.org for the most positive holiday ever where you can spend your money where it counts!"

AFRICAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION (AAHA)
Perpetuates and preserves culture through traditional and non-traditional holidays, celebration & rituals
P.O. Box 43255        
Washington, D. C. 20010
202-667-2577            
Email: aaha @ aaha-info.org    
www.aaha-info.org

Contact: Rashida Thomas, P.R. Consultant, 202-667-2577 or cell 202-253-1846

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