The seventh Annual Statewide Ethnic History Parade and Festival--"Karamu!Celebrate!" -- is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2012, in the Waverly and Five Points historical communities, Columbia, South Carolina. The name changed from Black History to Ethnic History so that we will be able to learn more about other Ethnic groups throughtout the state.

"Karamu", a Swahili term, is defined as "celebration or feast". In the Swahili culture the festivals and feasts are celebrations of significant events in the lives of the people. The celebration of Ethnic History in the United States provides an opportunity to recognize the many significant contributions of those of African descent to America and the global village. Through the Karamu!Celebrate! Parade and Gospel Soiree', we seek to educate, entertain and celebrate those achievements. Hence our motto: "Education through Entertainment".

At the first-ever Karamu! Celebrate! parade, held in February 2005, there were hundreds of spectators and forty-five participating units in the parade, including the North Carolina-based Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen/Span Watson Chapter, 4 Trinity Evangelistic Dance Ministry, the Midlands Bikers' Association, the Red Hat Society, SC Army National Guard, Ken Cheeks/Sunrise, Dr. Willie Long/ recording artist, vocalist "Diana Williamson-Pauley, Ft. Jackson Daniel Circle Men's Choir, WA Perry Color Guard, SC. National Liturgical Dance Network, American Legion Post 215, and legendary blues musician Drink Small to name a few.

The parade Grand Marhals have been Command Sgt Major Gail McAllister-Williams the first African American female to be promoted to Command Sergeant Major for the SC Army National Guard; Mr. Lomas Gist past most Worshipful Grand Master/Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of S.C., the retiring honorable Senator Kay Patterson of the S.C. Senate, the Honorable E.W. Cromartie/City Councilmen, the renowned Coach Willie Jeffries, Mayor Robert 'Bob" Coble and the Honorable Mayor Steve Benjamin. This year  2012 Mr. Curtis Wilson.

The parade logo was designed by Ms. Kathy Pearson-Strong a native artist of Columbia S.C.

Our sponsors are/ have been the City of Columbia/City Council, Columbia SC "Famously Hot",  S.C. Voter Education Project/Mr. Jim Felder, Columbia Parks and Recreation, Church Furnishings/Bishop F.C. James,  Honorable Joe E. Brown, SC. Community Bank of Columbia, Coca Cola of Columbia, Richland County Sheriff's Department, Hawkins Investment Group, Copy Max, Kiss 103.1FM : Johnnie Green and Tre' Taylor MCs,  DM 101.3FM, 100.1  Beat, Gospel 95.3FM, WLTX19,  WIS 10,  WACH FOX 57,  Allen University, Benedict College, Voorhees College, Quiznos of Five Points, Special Occasion, 100 Black Women/Columbia Chapter,  Southeastern Float Company, SC Dare Association, DDCP Communications,  National Council of Negro Women,  Starks Law Firm, the Columbia City Police Department, .Arby's/Broad River Rd,  Publix Super Market Inc, Mr. Dewey Duckett, Dr.Willie L. Miller, DDS., Gary Realty, The Caleb Singers, Lee Associates, Inc., Bethel AME Church of Columbia,  Martin Luther King Park, Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Taylor St., Starbucks of Five Points, Hardee's of Five Points and ABC Bonding Co.

We invite you to take your place among us in celebrating and establishing additional Black History through your involvement in the 7th Annual Statewide Ethnic History Parade & Gospel Soiree/Festival   "KARAMU!!!CELEBRATE!!!

Contact us:  fundsinc@fundsinc1.org

                        F.U.N.D.S., INC.

                        P.O.Box 2565

                      Columbia, SC 29202 

                      803-361-5470

FRIENDS UNITED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOP[MENTAL SOCIETY, INC