Kwanzaa Celebration

Join us for a special Kwanzaa celebration that honors the life and legacy of James Baldwin as part of The Fire This Time: A James Baldwin Centennial Celebration. This year’s event features a staged reading excerpt from Baldwin’s powerful play The Amen Corner, as well as a mock debate in Baldwin’s signature style.

The evening will also include the traditional Kwanzaa rituals, including the lighting of the candles on the Kinara, each representing one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa:

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective Responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity)
• Imani (Faith)

As part of our celebration, we will spotlight our students with recitations of their original poetry and enjoy a performance by our African American dance class, presenting the welcome dance.

We encourage everyone to wear the colors of red, black, and green to reflect the meanings behind the Pan-African flag. These colors—first introduced by Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a visionary leader born in Jamaica—symbolize the struggle (red), our people (black), and prosperity (green). Garvey’s establishment of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in the early 20th century was a call to uplift and empower Black communities worldwide, fostering pride, self-determination, and economic independence.

We will conclude with a delicious meal, sharing in the joy of community and tradition.

We look forward to celebrating Kwanzaa with you!

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 cabcs@adelphi.edu