Local Kwanzaa activities coming up soon

Kwanzaa founder Maulana Karenga (center) at a Kwanzaa celebration at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2003. 

Kwanzaa, the seven-day African family, community, and culture celebration, begins on Saturday, December 26 and ends on Friday, January 1, with lots of local activities. Dr. Maulana Karenga,  a professor of Africana Studies at California State College in Long Beach, founded the celebration in 1966 as a way to honor African heritage in African-American culture. Kwanzaa is built on seven principles drawn from communitarian African philosophy. Following is a schedule of local Kwanzaa events:

UMOJA (Unity) – Saturday, December 26, 6:30 p.m., Gallerie 909, 909 22nd Street S. Contact: Carla Bristol, (727) 565-3930

KUJICHAGULIA (Self Determination) – Sunday, December 27. Individual Observance Recommended

UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsibility) – Monday, December 28, 6:30 p.m., Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Avenue S., Bro. Kevin Johnson Family and Friends. Contact: L. Buchanan, (727) 893-7134

UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics) – Tuesday, December 29, 6:30 p.m. Uniquely Original Art Studio, 915 24th Street S. Contact: Catherine Weaver, (727) 239-3696.

NIA (Purpose) – Wednesday, December 30, Individual Celebration Recommended.

KUUMBA (Creativity) – Thursday, December 31, Individual Celebration Recommended

IMANI (Faith) – Friday, January 1, 6:30 p.m., Enoch Davis Center & Community, 1111 18th Avenue S. Bring a dish to share at the "Karuma" Contact: L. Buchanan, (727) 893-7134