BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will celebrate the spirit of family and community with its annual Kwanzaa program on Thursday, December 26. The event kicks off with a hands-on workshop at 5 p.m. in the Abraham L. Woods Community Meeting Room. Elinor Burks will lead this creative activity for families.
The community celebration begins at 6 p.m. in the Odessa Woolfolk Gallery, highlighting the principle, Umoja or “Unity,” which is the principle of unity in family, relationships, and heart. It is one of the seven principles or “Nguzo Saba” of Kwanzaa and is celebrated and practiced on a single special day during Kwanzaa and ideally continued throughout the year. Additionally, the celebration will feature music, youth discussion on the principle of Unity, African drummers and a performance by Spoken Word artist, Glenwood.
Kwanzaa – which means “first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili – is an African American cultural holiday with a focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. It was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga and is celebrated December 26-January 1.
“Kwanzaa is wonderful time for people to gather and reflect on the spirit of family,” says Ahmad Ward, BCRI Director of Education and Exhibitions. “Each year we enjoy seeing the community come together for this very important celebration.”
The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact Ahmad Ward, BCRI Head of Education and Exhibition, at 328-9696 x 234.
