Four Local Black Men and Women Honored as Newest Kijana Heroes

Boca Raton, FL – Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative hosted a reception to honor Black heroes, recognize student winners of an inaugural Black History Month writing contest, and raise funds for its educational facility being built in Kenya. The event took place at the North Palm Beach Country Club on Thursday, February 23, 2023. 10 new Kijana Heroes were unveiled by artist Claire Salmon, including four from Palm Beach County: Cinthia Becton, F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr., Eva Williams Mack, and Solomon David Spady.

Kijana, a nonprofit founded by lifelong educator Jim Cummings, operates in North Palm Beach and in Kenya–promoting and cultivating youth empowerment through educational development, cross-cultural dialogue, and sustainable and environmentally-friendly economic growth, among American school communities and under-served Kenyan school communities. Around 90 guests enjoyed drinks and food from Farmer’s Table while learning about Kijana and the future of global collaboration.

Kijana teamed up with local Palm Beach County resident and graphic artist, Claire Salmon, to develop the “Kijana Heroes” poster series which leading up to the reception comprised 50 historical and contemporary Black men and women who have shared their wisdom and example by their change-making actions. The full series was on display at the event, and 10 never-before-seen Kijana Heroes were unveiled. In addition to Becton, Cunningham, Mack, and Spady, the other pathbreaking figures added to the ranks of being named Kijana Heroes included: Jackie Robinson, Kofi Annan, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Julius Nyerere, Tegla Loroupe, and Ebby Shiroya.

Becton and Shiroya were both present and humbly surprised to receive the recognition.

“I’m in awe of their accomplishments and I’m humbled to be in a pictured form there, by them,” stated Becton.

Becton taught in Palm Beach County public schools for 32 years, has been instrumental in the community, and today serves as president of the Northside Kiwanis Club. Shiroya lives on-the-ground in Kenya and serves as Kijana Global Innovation School Managing Director.

To encourage educational cross-cultural development and raise awareness of Black individuals who have ‘lit the way’ intellectually, socially, and culturally, Kijana provided local schools, libraries, and other public spaces with the opportunity to display the series of posters throughout Black History Month. The grassroots organization facilitated the teaching and learning by launching a student essay/poetry competition open to all middle and high school students in Palm Beach County and select partner schools outside of the county. Close to 100 students entered the contest, and 14 finalists were recognized at the reception.

The Kijana Heroes poster series distribution, displays, and essay contest were made possible by the generosity of Stephanie & John Pew, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, and Arcadia Books of Spring Green, WI.

The evening also served as a springboard for local capital campaign support to build a multi-purpose educational facility, inclusive of a media center and amphitheater, at Kijana Global Innovation School in Western Kenya. The campaign goal is to raise $500,000 to build the facility and add classrooms, technological resources, books, a dining area, increased staff, sports fields, and a playground to the existing campus that currently has an enrollment of 172 students, serving pre-k through eighth-grade classes. Kijana School aims to graduate its first high school class in 2026.