THE
MACCABEE
Vincent accepted Christ early in life becoming a member of Grace A.M.E. church. He thoroughly enjoyed attending and participating in Sunday School.
Vincent and Wanda were childhood friends that lived next door. He attended Benjamin Banneker Elementary and Junior High School with his buddy Wanda. Vincent loved reading and doing crossword puzzles, but he was never enthusiastic about the structured classroom setting. It was a little too restrictive for him. Vincent left school early and was self-taught, continuing his educaiton until he received his G.E.D.
After the birth of his first child, Denise, Vincent knew that he had to make some serious decisions about the direction of his life. He realized that street life would lead him to a place where he definitely did not want to be; therefore, he chose to enlist in the United States Army. He served honorably for three years. During that time he received several commendations for his service, one of which was certification from the U.S. Army Aviation School for helicopter maintenance. Meanwhile, Wanda had given birth to the couple's first child, Vincent, Jr. (Little Kwesi).
After completion of duty, Vincent traveled to Detroit with an army buddy. He secured employment in the automotive industry and found a respectable apartment. Vincent decided to make Detroit his home. After everything was in place, he sent for his family to join him.
One day Vincent came home extremely excited, waving a magazine in his hand. He was shouting, "Read this, read this!" He showed Wanda a copy of Ebony Magazine featuring an article about the Shrines of the Black Madonna. Vincent said, "We've got to go to this church!" After a couple of visitshe announced, "I joined the church in this magazine." Within two ro three months Wanda also joined. Vincent was so involved with the Shrine that he gave up his job to be in complete service to the church. During this time, they gave birth to their second child Quyen.
In 1971 the Shrines of the Black Madonna performed their first African Naming Ceremony, Vincent Stewart was now Kwesi Kariuki which means "Conquering Strength - a son comes home." And Wanda was now Nefertiti Kariuki which means "The beautiful one has come." They were a revolutionary family totally dedicated to the mission of the church.
Kwesi became a member of the security force, the Maccabees. He quickly moved up to the rank of Colonel. He was also consecrated Mwalimu, making him an ordained minister. Kwesi was so skilled with his hands that in 1973 the church called upon him to lead a group of dedicated men and women, the Imjimia Cadre, which later became "The Maccabee Corps of Imjimia."
There was something about Colonel Kwesi that caused people to gravitate towards him. Some say it was his captivating smile, others say it was those twinkling eyes. Whatever it was, he was like the Pied Piper. Everyone he met was drawn to him. For a man of so few words, he had a powerful impact on others. You could not meet this man and not love him.
Kwesi was a man who led by example. He was an excellent mentor for the youth.
Remembering his fascination as a child, following his dad around on his plumbing jobs, Kwesi always made it a point to have at least one young person under his tutelage. Colonel Kwesi and his crew (Changa, Kehinde, Gaidi, Ade, Alemu, Hodari, Seve, Okemwa, Karega, Assata, Karega, Omowale, Nkene, Ilisi, Karamo, Kache, Kwame, Amir, Macharia, Kala Taha, Orinde and Kofi), the "Imjimia Cadre" became a force to reckon with. The Shrines of the Black Madonna's expansion program was spearheaded by this dynamic group of women and men led by Colonel Kwesi. They were absolutely inseparable. In Detroit, Michigan they renovated Cultural Center No. 1 on Livernois and Davison, Shrine No. 3 on Wyoming and Seven Mile, Shrine No. 2 on Mack and Burns and Shrine No. 4 on Conant. From there they transformed a theater in Atlanta, Georgia into Shrine of the Black Madonna No. 9.
Colonel Kwesi and his crew were so dedicated to their projects that many times they went without sleep, ate out of cans and camped out at the project site. Colonel Kwesi instilled in his men the importance of always seeking knowledge. They spent endless hours at the library reading about world affairs and trends in construction. As minister, he believed it was God's will that his church expand. From Atlanta, Georgia to Kalamazoo and Flint, Michigan and Houston, Texas, they continued to do the work of God.
Although Shrine expansion had come to a halt, not Colonel Kwesi. He continued his love for community, family, and friends by becoming everyone’s “fix-it” man. He started his own roofing company, Falcon Roofing. From Fabu’s doors and shelves to Mukey and Maji’s new roof, anything you needed repaird, built or renovated, Kwesi did it at a fraction of the cost. For him, it was never about the money; it was about the love and commitment to serve. The words “service” and “Kwesi” were synonymous. Tene so vividly recalls the time Col. Kwesi rescued she and Aombaye from their flooding house. Kwesi built his life around his work. He would actually get depressed if he didn’t have any work to do. Many did not know that from 1969-2002, Kwesi was constantly involved in some field of study. He was a certified massage therapist, masonry, carpenter, construither.ction manager, and roofing technician. There seemed to be nothing this man could not do. They say there are few men to ever carry the title “Maccabee”, and one of those self-sacrificing men was Col. Kwesi Kariuki. We are so blessed to have known such a gallant warrior.
Kwesi departed this life on November 6, 2008. He was preceded in death by his father William Steward, sister, Marilyn Steward, and brother Jefferey Gaither.
Colonel Kwesi leaves to cherish his memory: his mother Catherine Steward; his loving wife, Nefertiti; his son Vincent Jr. (Little Kwesi); his daughters Quyen (Barrett Logan) and Denise Ballamy (John); brothers Wayne Steward (Marlene); Bryant Steward, Ramon Gaither, Jr., Aaron Gaither, William Steward and Derrick Steward (Kim); one sister Darlene Young (Phillip); seven grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
