KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee Black Cultural Programming Committee will host a Kwanzaa celebration at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Black Cultural Center.
Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Kwanzaa was established in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement and reflects the movement’s concern for cultural sensibility.
Traditionally celebrated each year from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, its origins are in the harvest celebrations of Africa. The founder and creator, Ron Karenga, calls Kwanzaa “the African-American branch of ‘first fruits’ celebrations of classical African culture,” designed to honor the values and the restoration of the African community through the “Nguzo Saba” or seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The Dec. 2 event at the Black Cultural Center will feature a candle-lighting ceremony and musical performances honoring African-American accomplishments, talents and culture, and is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Black Cultural Programming Committee at 865-974-4750 or visit http://web.utk.edu/~bcpc.
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CONTACT:
Demetrius Richmond, Minority Student Affairs (865-974-4750, drichmon@utk.edu)