44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 26th, Umoja

44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
“Health, Reciprocity, and Community”

WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 44th Annual Celebration with 4 of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate and reaffirm family, community, and culture.

Kwanzaa was a celebration that was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each night will feature Special guest speakers or performers, Ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings by Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, free heirloom seeds for families, and Karamu  (the traditional feast and family get down).

Day 1: Thursday, December 26th – Umoja, Unity

Live performance by harpist Mariea Antoinette. Featuring guest speaker, Alyce Cooper with a tribute to Nikki Giovanni. WorldBeat Cultural Center’s African Drum and Dance Ensemble.