Kwanzaa Celebration

The Center for African, Black & Caribbean Studies invite you to celebrate Kwanzaa with us. This year we are including a staged reading excerpt of James Baldwin’s play “The Amen Corner,” as well as a mock debate (James Baldwin style) as part of “The Fire This Time: A James Baldwin Centennial Celebration” and traditional Kwanzaa rituals; the lighting of the candles on the kinara representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa; Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). We will pour libations to our ancestors, students will recite their original poetry, and our own African American dance class will perform the welcome dance.

It is suggested that we wear red to represent the struggle, black to represent our people, and green to represent prosperity. Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887-1940) born in the island nation Jamaica introduced these colors to be representative of all people of the African diaspora. They are the colors of the Pan African flag which was created in 1920 in response to racism against African Americans. Garvey encouraged entrepreneurship among Black people and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

And of course we will partake of a scrumptious meal.

This event is part of The Fire This Time: A James Baldwin Centennial Celebration series.

Sponsored by:

• Center for African, Black and Caribbean Studies
• College of Arts and Sciences
• English Department
• Center for Academic Support and Enrichment
• Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

For any questions, please contact Fabian Burrell at 516.877.4980 or cabcs@adelphi.edu