The annual Ujamaa Festival is taking place this weekend in Wyandanch at the Wyandanch Plaza.

The festival is all about showcasing Black-owned businesses and celebrating and supporting one another. It will feature 90 vendors with everything from music - food- candles - facials and art exhibits.

"So this festival celebration allows us to not just be about the color or the complexion but about the values, the culture the values that we have unity cooperation family," said Dr. Naima Robinson.

Ujamaa means cooperative economics and it is the 4th candle lit on the Kenorah during Kwaanza, and as Dr. Pam Robinson noted, "we need to now what business are out there for us to support."

"That dollar needs to circulate in our community much more than it does and this is one of those things that will make that happen," she also said.

The idea to hold a festival for the black community was first sparked by Falischa Moss. She believes that every culture supports their own, which is what the festival will be all about. And Sharon Solomon-Lee, a vendor of Mind Body & Soul Candles, will be on hand displaying her handcrafted soy scented candles and giving a lesson on how to make them.

"To give back and support other black business is very important," Lee said.

Members of the community will also be honored for their charitable contributions and for serving as role models in the black community.

The Festival is from 12 to 6 Saturday at the Plaza at Wyandanch Village.