Kwanzaa Charlotte Community Wide Events
The Charlotte community is warmly invited to participate in the 2024/2025 Kwanzaa Charlotte events and city-wide kwanzaa holiday celebrations. Kwanzaa Charlotte events are educational and cultural activities designed to benefit the entire Charlotte, NC community centering on the Nguzo Saba. Each day families & individuals are reminded to incorporate the values expressed in the Nguza Saba into their life. This year marks the 59th Anniversary of the founding of Kwanzaa, and the 38th year of local celebrations produced by Kwanzaa Charlotte, a volunteer group of individuals and organizations.
KwanzaaCharlotte is pleased to announce another year of daily in-person celebrations for Kwanzaa 2024/2025. Charlotte and surrounding communities are invited to join us for historical, educational and interactive programs expressed through drumming, music, dance and spoken word.
Daily celebrations will be held from 7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M., December 26 & January 1, at Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church, 6116 Monteith Drive, 28213, and December 27th through December 31st at the Movement School, 2701 Freedom Drive, 28208.
**An African Marketplace will precede the daily celebrations from 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. and following the celebrations from 8:30 P.M. - 9:15 P.M. The Market will be available December 26th - December 31st. There will be no Marketplace on January 1st .**
American Sign Language interpretation will be available for the programs, and all locations are wheelchair accessible. In the spirit of community and caring for ourselves as well as each other, please celebrate at home if you have been exposed to someone with COVID, the FLU or other transmittable viruses. Please take good care of yourself and your family.
Celebrations are outlined with details below:
| Date | Nguzo Saba (Principle) | Time/Activity | Host | ||
| 12/26 |
Umoja (Unity) |
|
A Sign of the Times
704.965.2224 |
||
| 12/27 |
Kujichagulia (Self – Determination) |
|
The Jzar Family 704.287.7774 |
||
| 12/28 | Ujima
(Collective Work & Responsibility) |
6pm – African Marketplace 7pm-8:30 Kwanzaa Program 8:30-9:15 African Marketplace |
The Males Place 704.713.2814 |
||
| 12/29 | Ujamaa
(Cooperative Economics) |
|
The Nation of Islam 704.777.0965 |
||
| 12/30 | Nia
(Purpose) |
|
Brother Ali Steele 980.833.6881 |
||
| 12/31 | Kuumba
(Creativity) |
|
Charlotte African Drum & Dance Collective
704.965.2099 |
||
| 1/01 | Imani
(Faith) |
7pm -8:30 Kwanzaa Program Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church No Marketplace - Day of Reflection and Contemplation |
A Sign of the Times 704.965.2224 |
All events are free, and open to the public.
Visit us on Facebook at Kwanzaa Charlotte | Instagram: Kwanzaacharlotte | Email: kwanzaacharlotte@gmail.com
Media Contact: Terry Tiamd (704) 589.9500
Kwanzaa Charlotte is honored to offer interactive Kwanzaa Workshop Series and the annual city-wide celebrations. The details for all events are listed below.
Workshops
“Celebrating Kwanzaa at Home” is the theme for the family workshop. It is designed for families who want to learn the origins, fundamental activities, the essential values and the seven basic symbols of this time-honored celebration of family, community and culture. Pronunciation of the Swahili terms and the creation of a Kwanzaa craft will be a part of this interactive program.
Facilitators: Terry Tiamd & Elisha Minter
“The Philosophy/History of Kwanzaa” is designed for high-school, college and adult participants. This lecture/discussion examines the cultural philosophy which is the basis of the seven-day Kwanzaa celebration, that was created during the 60’s struggle for civil and human rights.
Facilitator: Tahirah Farrer-Bradley
All events are free, and open to the public. The workshop facilitators are volunteers from Kwanzaa Charlotte and have been active in developing and presenting Kwanzaa programs in Charlotte and surrounding communities for the past 32 years.
Family Workshop (click heading to watch now)
Facilitators: Terry Tiamd, Elisha Minter, & Tahirah Farrer-Bradley
Reference Guide: celebrating-kwanzaa-at-home-2020
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for all Kwanzaa programs, and they can be accessed on:
FaceBook Page – https://www.facebook.com/KwanzaaCharlotte
Kwanzaa Charlotte YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcxebF8KIJwTpDaVBJN5Ag