`BLACK CULTURE IS SO BEAUTIFUL' : AFRO-CENTRIC EVENT A PLACE OF DISCOVERY.Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer Cynthia Yee didn't know what she had discovered when she stumbled upon a marketplace Saturday that featured table after table of African-American displays. Born Asian-American and raised in Chinese culture, Yee had rarely set eyes upon African-American inspired art, jewelry jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The most universal forms of jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin, and earring. , clothing or literature. ``This has opened my eyes to a culture I knew little about,'' said Yee, 18, of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . ``Black culture is so beautiful. I learned something today that I'll never forget.'' The teen was among more than 2,500 browsers who gathered at the third annual Afro-Centric Market Place at Mountain Gate Plaza. Coordinated by the Afro-Centric Committee of Ventura County, the event touched upon various aspects of black culture from hand-made dolls to hand-carved leather Bible book covers. The daylong event featured more than 45 vendors from the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. to Ventura. Groups on display included The Black Inventors Museum, the Minority AIDS Project and the UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Flower Museum of Cultural History. Artwork and essays by local school children was entered in a contest themed ``My Interpretation of Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream.'' Information was also provided on sickle cell disease sickle cell disease or sickle cell anemia, inherited disorder of the blood in which the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin pigment in erythrocytes (red blood cells) is abnormal. , prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. and high blood pressure - all of which are common among the African-American population. The goal of Saturday's marketplace was to generate awareness in Ventura County about the crafts, clothing, art and other goods made and sold by African-Americans in the area, said Mary Winn, founder of the Afro-Centric Committee. ``This is important to me because we are often so misunderstood,'' said Winn. The committee thrives to promote education and appreciation of African-American culture through various aspects of entertainment, health awareness and historical preservation. ``We have to learn about each other's cultures,'' Winn said. ``If we all understood one another, we would not have so much separatism sep·a·ra·tist n. 1. One who secedes or advocates separation, especially from an established church; a sectarian or separationist. 2. . This is not just a marketplace for black people. It's for everybody.'' Nathaniel Bustion, an African-American artist from Altadena, hoped his work would inspire others - especially youngsters - to pursue their dreams. At age 4, the Alabama native created a 10-pound clay bowl that became the centerpiece of his grandmother's holiday dinner table setting. His work has since been exhibited nationally. ``If I can do it, then they have the potential to do it,'' said Bustion, who showcased more than 100 pieces of clay tile images, lithographs and original oil paintings. ``I hope that all people know they have the potential to do what they want to - all it takes is desire and hard work.'' Sharon Brown Sharon Brown is Miss USA 1961. After winning the Miss Louisiana USA crown, Brown, from Minden, Louisiana went on to become Louisiana's second representative to achieve the title of Miss USA. She also won the Miss Photogenic award. , an event coordinator and member of the Afro-Centric committee, said Saturday's event was a reflection of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. ``He wanted unity,'' Brown said. ``That's what's happening here today.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1-2--color) Karen Davis For others with the same name see Karen Davis (disambiguation). Karen Davis is the president and founder of United Poultry Concerns, Inc., which she founded in 1990 as a nonprofit organization that promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl and , at left above, and Karen Holmes make ethnic dolls at the Afro-Centric Market Place, which featured African-American merchandise, exhibits, arts and performances at Mountain Gate Plaza. Tobbie Brown, left, enjoys talking with her fellow vendors. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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