The Charlotte community is warmly invited to participate in the 2023/24 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.


kwanzaa-kinara

Kwanzaa Charlotte is pleased to announce another year of daily in-person celebrations for Kwanzaa 2023/2024. Charlotte and surrounding communities are invited to join us for historical and educational programs with artistic expressions of drumming, music, dance and spoken word. Daily celebrations will be held from 7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M., December 26 – January 1, 2024.

All programs will be held at the MOVEMENT SCHOOL, 2701 Freedom Drive, 28208.
American Sign Language interpretation will be available for the programs, and the location is
wheelchair accessible. All events are free, and open to the public. In the spirit of community and
caring for ourselves as well as each other, please celebrate from your 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.

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. – 9:30 P.M.. The Market will be available December
26 – December 31. There will be no Marketplace on January 1st.

Celebrations  are outlined below: 

  • Umoja (Unity) – December 26th | Host: A Sign of the Times | Phone: 704.965.2224 
  • Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) – December 27th | Host: The Jzar Family | Phone: 704-299-2659 
  • Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) – December 28th | Host: The Males Place | Phone: 704.713.2814 
  • Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) – December 29th | Host: Brother Ali Steele | Phone: 980.833.6881
  • Nia (Purpose) – December 30th | Host: The Nation of Islam | Phone: 704.777.0965
  • Kuumba (Creativity) – December 31st | Host: Charlotte African Drum & Dance Collective | Phone: 704.965.2099
  • Imani (Faith) – January 1, 2024 | Host: A Sign of the Times | Phone: 704.965.2224 |No Marketplace – Day of Reflection
    and Contemplation

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

family-workshop

“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  kwanzaa charlotte workshop-2

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