HAPPY KWANZAA!
"Kwanzaa isn’t a replacement for Christmas or even Hanukkah. Kwanzaa has nothing to do with religion and while some may twist it to be political, in its nature it is not. Kwanzaa is not the tool of its creator. Kwanzaa has a life of its own. Kwanzaa is about the spirit of people — all people regardless of color or race. Kwanzaa is a holiday of the human spirit — not the divine. The two were meant to co-exist peacefully."
– Author Unknown
I'm sending warmest wishes for a Happy Kwanzaa to my clients, colleagues, friends, and business partners who celebrate this special holiday, honoring African and African-American culture and history, starting today, December 26th, and continuing through January 1st, 2024. May the seven days of Kwanzaa be a special time for you and yours and may the joy of this celebration stay with you throughout the coming year.
"Kwanzaa is a holiday that should be celebrated by everyone, not just the Black community."
— Jacqui Lewis
What Are The 7 Principles That Kwanzaa Candles Represent?
In the center is a black candle representing the first principle: unity (Umoja). To the left of the black candle are three red candles representing the principles of self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa) and creativity (Kuumba). To the right of the black candle are three green candles representing the principles of Ujima collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia) and faith (Imani). The black candle is lit first on the first day of Kwanzaa. The remaining candles are lit from left to right on the following days. This indicates that the people come first, then the struggle, and then the hope that comes from the struggle.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole Earth.”
—Bahá’u’lláh
The Story of Kwanzaa {Video}
Celebrating Kwanzaa In Charlotte
If you want to celebrate Kwanzaa in Charlotte and/or learn more about it, there are several venues to do so this week:
- Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture: December 27th, 6:00-9:00 PM. Learn about Kwanzaa celebrations and traditions.
-
Kwanzaa Charlotte City Wide Celebration: daily, December 26th -January 1st, 7:00-8:30 PM at the Movement School located at 2701 Freedom Drive. In addition to historical and educational programs with artistic expressions of drumming, music, dance and spoken word, you can also enjoy an African Marketplace from 6:00-7:00 PM and after 8:30 PM.
- Kwanzaa Celebration at the Matthews Community Center, December 29th, 7:00 PM. Enjoy stories, dances, and singing, an overview demonstrating "What is Kwanzaa" and "How-to" celebrate. plus an introduction to the community building principles and symbols of the Kwanzaa celebration.
"The seven principles of Kwanzaa — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith — teach us that when we come together to strengthen our families and communities and honor the lesson of the past, we can face the future with joy and optimism."
– President Bill Clinton
"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color."
- Maya Angelou
May the seven principles of Kwanzaa guide you throughout the year.
Comments(32)