SAN JOSE, California — With 85 films, representing 35 African countries packed in one weekend, the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) celebrated 10 years at the historic Hoover Theater in San Jose Oct. 4 – 6.
The cultural extravaganza opened ceremoniously with a parade of African flags, saxophonist OluJazz and singer Victoria McDowell, who performed the Black National Anthem and “The Greatest Love of All”.
Festival Director Chike C. Nwoffia and his team were presented recognitions from Congressman Ro Khanna, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, California State Senator Bob Wieckowski, San Jose Vice Mayor Charles “Chappie” Jones and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.
Nwoffiah presented the festival’s cultural icon award to The Honorable Rev. Dr. Cynthia Mother Pratt, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas. The entrepreneur, philanthropist and author shared her story of rising from poverty and racism in the Bahamas to becoming a member of parliament, the first female minister of national security, deputy prime minister and acting prime minister of the Bahamas.
“I was given an opportunity to go to college when I was a wife with children,” said Pratt. “My husband was very supportive, so I took the opportunity.”
As a result, Pratt says she entered the college employed as a volleyball recruiter and a student among people half her age. https://postnewsgroup.com/2019/10/10/silicon-valley-african-film-festival-svaff-celebrates-10-years/
