by Karen Hernandez
Two Legends of Diversity Awards were presented at the 10th annual Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival April 11 at the Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse.
Janith English and Tamiasha Tyner were recognized for contributions they have made to promote the Wyandot Nation of Kansas and the old Sumner High School legacy. Curtis V. Smith, event organizer, presented the awards.
The turnout was reflective of the growth of attendance at the festival during the past 10 years. The family friendly event included food, entertainment and activities.
Countries represented included Barbados, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, East Asia, Gambia,
Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey and the Wyandot Nation of Kansas.
There was ethnic food from West Africa, Kenya, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and India, as well as African American “Soul Food.” Besides the ethnic and cultural displays, local nonprofit agencies who serve the community, and sponsor-vendors, there was a Children’s Creative Corner under the supervision of the college’s Intercultural Center Director Barbara Clark-Evans providing varied activities, along with local magician-balloon artist, Gene Hernandez, making balloon sculptures.
Clarence Small emceed the entertainment portion of the program that began with KCKCC’s ever popular singer, Shawn Derritt, who sang “America the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner,” as the Sheriff’s Department presented the colors.
The Latin Jazz Combo showcased music they had played during their trip to Cuba last December. A new group, Kolograd, played lively music from Balkan nations. Danny Hinds and Ayotunde, a Barbados and African drumming troupe, engaged the audience by their lively and colorful performance, followed by inviting people of all ages up on the stage to learn some basic African dance moves.
The ever-popular West of Marrakesh dancers entertained, followed by the Hrvatski Obicaj Croatian Orchestra, the graceful Nartan Dancers from India, the spirited Tikvah dancers of Israel, and a colorful Sabor a Peru dance performance.
Roger Suggs, a positive hip-hop artist, was followed by the St. Monica Catholic Inspirational Choir led by Minister of Music Melvin Kerr, followed by a dynamic gospel duo named Tez and Tam. A Quimbaya Dance of Colombia, and the Hide in the Shadows Trio from Costa Rica closed out the diverse program of ethnic entertainment.
To start the events April 11, the festival received a proclamation from Mayor Mark Holland for its 10th year of showcasing the ethnic diversity that exists in Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kan., and surrounding areas. The mayor was unable to attend, so Commissioner Jane Winkler Philbrook presented it.
The 2016 Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival will be April 16.
Karen Hernandez is a co-founder of the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival.