Market Place to Cap Black History Gala
To cap the celebration of Black History Month in Simi Valley, a group of residents is planning the city’s second annual Afro-Centric Market Place.
Sponsored by Mountain Gate Plaza shopping mall and Julia’s Professional Services, the daylong event at the mall March 2 will feature vendors selling African American-inspired jewelry, clothing and books.
There will also be educational displays and entertainment, event coordinator Claretta Kerns said.
“Last year it went well, but it was so commercial that we wanted to bring in substance and more cultural background to it,” Kerns said.
As part of the celebration, the organizers are also holding an essay contest for local elementary, middle school and high school students, she said.
The theme will be, “How can cultural diversity be our strength in America?” Entries must be turned in by Monday at either the Mountain Gate Plaza office at 1197 Los Angeles Ave. Suite No. 6, or any Simi Valley school office.
For more information on the market place, call 526-2163.
For more information on the essay contest, call Darlene Fowlkes at 584-3233.
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