Kilpatrick stops by Karibu House Kwanzaa brunch

DETROIT – Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick spent about 45 minutes visiting with attendees of the annual Karibu House Pre-Kwanzaa brunch on Saturday, Dec. 18. About 50 people attended the brunch, which took place at LeCafethe' Restaurant.
Kwanzaa, which was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated annually Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
This was Karibu House's sixth annual brunch. Following the meal, Karibu House offered a presentation that included a Kwanzaa quiz, the poetry of Thomas DeShazor and vocal selections by the AGAPE ensemble.
It has always been Karibu House's habit to invite the mayor, but this is the first time he ever showed up.
"I was surprised but I was pleasantly surprised," said Kofi Adoma, Karibu House's board president. "I saw that he was willing to listen and he didn't interrupt. He heard what we're needing in Detroit and why it's so important for us to have this community center. I think he was impressed with hearing about our idea for Karibu House College and also, and especially, about hearing about the inter-group dialogue series we're going to be having. He also told me he'd be the first to sign up for my Karibu House class, by the way. And without my saying anything, he asked me what kind of building we needed for Karibu House. He sounded like he was interested in making this happen."
Michael Piper, Karibu House's vice president, has a meeting scheduled a member of the mayor's staff for next week to see how else the administration can help the center.