44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration

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 is 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. 

Day 2: Friday, December 27th: Kujichagulia- Self-Determination  

Featuring guest speaker professor Starla Lewis speaking on the second principle Kujichagulia, Self-Determination. Dance performance led by Diva Works Dance, “a Tribute to Judith Jamison”. A preview of the documentary on Kwanzaa “The Black Candle”.


Day 3: Saturday, December 28th: Ujima, Collective Work & Responsibility

Keynote speaker Professor M.K. Asante, American author, filmmaker, songwriter, recording artist. The Los Angeles Times calls Professor Asante, “One of America's best storytellers”.  A screening of the documentary film about Kwanzaa “The Black Candle” directed and produced by Professor M.K. Asante, co-written and narrated by Maya Angelou.

Day 4: Sunday, December 29th: Ujamaa, Cooperative Economics

Keynote presentation by Cheryl Branch on grant writing for community based nonprofit organizations. Additional guest, Dr. Derah aka Dalene Brown, a certified health practitioner, iridologist, herbalist and dedicated to health.
Music performance by Ibrahima Ba.