Newsletter Issue #52
NOVEMBER 2020

DEMOCRACY WINS!

Congratulations President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
“Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end, here and now.”- Joe Biden

“The American dream belongs to all of us. The truth is that the vast majority of Americans are good, fair, and just, and they want their country to reflect those ideals.” - Kamala Harris
 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

We made history everyone! My heart is genuinely filled with joy and gratitude for our united and triumphant effort to restore faith, hope and integrity in our country. We have pulled through victoriously in this election in a year in history unlike one we have never experienced. Perhaps due to what we have endured this win is just that much more sweet. I am thankful that during a global pandemic, a nation battling civil unrest and unemployment that our voice and votes still matter. We can now, more than ever, be the change we wish to see in the world.

It is only fitting that this edition of the Newsletter reflects appreciation and gratitude. We want to take the time to thank you and highlight some of the many people who support Sesame and also provide the opportunity to keep giving - thanks.

Once again, thank you everyone.
 

SUPPORT SESAME FLYERS INTERNATIONAL ON GIVING TUESDAY

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generously.

On December 1 please consider supporting Sesame Flyers. Many organizations match fundraising dollars in honor of this day. To make a donation, text love a kid to 44321 or tap our Donate button.

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT - THANK YOU PRAEWPAN ASH

Sesame Flyers would like to acknowledge Ash Contracting Corp for making a sizeable donation to our Caribbean Health Walk! Ash Contracting Corp supported this cause because they believe health (physical and mental) awareness and being healthy is very important for our communities, especially with the pandemic disproportionately affecting people of color who tend to be essential front line workers.

Ash Contracting Corp. is a General Contractor that was established in February 2006 by Preawpan and Junior Ash. They are located in Canarsie at 1641 East 94th St Brooklyn, NY. They also envision themselves as a contributing member to the communities they serve, identifying local talents, and re-investing resources back into our communities. To learn more about this company, you can find them on the web at www.ashcontractingcorp.com.
 

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT KEVIN McEWEN

Kevin McEwen is the son of Cecil McEwen who was a founding member of Sesame. Cecil was instrumental in acquiring our main office building and served in leadership for many years.

Mr. McEwen is the founder and artistic director of the Kofago Dance Ensemble, which provides training and performing opportunities to young aspiring artists. He is also a professor at Queensborough Community College, where he produces an annual full-length production "QCC Kwanzaa Celebration" in December. (See more in our Kwanzaa article)

Kevin is the creator of the Re-Definition of Manhood (ROM) Project, which gives guidance to young African American men through mentorship, performing arts development and rites of passage ceremony.

His choreographed work entitled "Nagnou Fecc - The Men MUST Dance" was his artistic protest to the increased and rampant assault on the black male identity. "We are at a place and time where we are literally being hunted down and assassinated by those who think they control us, however, it is my belief that these strategic emasculating activities are happening to us as a whole only because we allow them to happen."
 

KWANZAA CELEBRATION 2020: GLOBAL EDITION

Kwanzaa – A holiday created by Africanist scholar Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is a celebration held across the United States and in other nations of the African Diaspora. Kwanzaa is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

• Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family and community.

• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

• Nia (Purpose): To make collective vocation the building and developing of community.

• Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as possible to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

• Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Join us as Kevin McEwen and several dance companies on December 20th, 2020 as they present their third annual Kwanzaa Celebration as a YouTube Live streaming event! This year, things are going to be a little different, but the amazing quality of dance performances and good storytelling will still be the same!

To register for this event, please go to their website and register with your name and email.

Website: www.kwanzaa2020.com
Instagram: kwanzaa_2020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2839263696357149
Youtube 60 Second Sizzle Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ereZXC4AZ0
 
 

NEW SEATBELT LAW – BUCKLE UP EVERYONE!

There is a new seat belt law that went into effect Sunday, November 1st in New York State, which will require seat belts to be worn by all vehicle occupants regardless of age or where they sit. This applies to personal cars, taxis & for-hire vehicles, including app-based trips.
 

BLENDED LEARNING OPT-IN PERIOD: NOVEMBER 2-15, 2020

Fully remote families have the opportunity to change their children’s learning preferences and opt-in for a blended learning. To get more info click here
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/news/chancellor-s-message-for-families
 

SESAME FLYERS INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR 2021

NOTE : SESAME FLYERS INTERNATIONAL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/PROGRAM AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Your privacy, security and trust are important to us.  By using this website, you signify your assent to the policies below.  If you do not agree to these policies please do not use this site.  Your continued use of the website following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes.  For more  information contact Sesame Flyers International.  WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT BY SESAME FLYERS INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

 Copyright and All Rights Reserved By Sesame Flyers International Incorporated.