Local

Food, music and a vaccination push is how a local group kicked off the holiday season

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Modesto-Stanislaus hosted a Kwanzaa holiday social on Friday night at Redeemer Modesto.

Vocalist Shuntavia performs during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Vocalist Shuntavia performs during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com

The free event, facilitated by Eric Ivory, counselor at Modesto Junior College and its UMOJA program, featured foods such as gumbo, rice and peach cobbler.

It also included musical performances from The Michael Mitchell Band, Ricky Latour & The Cradle of Sound, Drum Ensemble and vocalist Shuntavia.

Free vaccines were made available at the church to youths and adults.

Michael Baldwin speaks during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Michael Baldwin speaks during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
Ceremonial alter at the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Ceremonial alter at the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
Jacquelyn Forte, left, looks at a dress from one the vendors during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Jacquelyn Forte, left, looks at a dress from one the vendors during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
Gia Smith, right, gets a booster vaccine from RN Amina Edache at a vaccine clinic during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Gia Smith, right, gets a booster vaccine from RN Amina Edache at a vaccine clinic during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
Dontell Ramirez sings with the Ricky LaTour and the Cradle of Sound Drum Ensemble during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Dontell Ramirez sings with the Ricky LaTour and the Cradle of Sound Drum Ensemble during the Modesto-Stanislaus NAACP Holiday Kwanzaa Social at Redeemer Modesto in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com

Andrea Briseño is the equity reporter for The Bee's community-funded Economic Mobility Lab, which features a team of reporters covering economic development, education and equity.

Your contribution helps support the Lab.

Click here to donate to the Lab through the Stanislaus Community Foundation

Click here to learn more about the Lab
Profile Image of Andrea Briseño
Andrea Briseño
The Modesto Bee
(209) 210-2652
Andrea is the equity/underserved communities reporter for The Modesto Bee’s Economic Mobility Lab. She is a Fresno native and a graduate of San Jose State University.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER