Missouri City Area Pre-Kwanzaa Community Celebration

The Missouri City Area Kwanzaa Ujima Collective members invite you to celebrate the African American holiday, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community & Culture. This year marks the 58th anniversary of Kwanzaa, and our 8th annual celebration in the Missouri City area. During Kwanzaa, we celebrate the best of our history and culture, give thanks to our ancestors, hear the Wisdom of the Elders, cherish our children, have cultural expressions, music, food, dance, break bread together, and remember who we are as a people of excellence and achievement. We end the celebration with a "Lifting Up The Light That Lasts" candle lighting ceremony recommitment to the Black community development values of the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles). These principles in Swahili and English are, Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith).

Seba Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor & Chair, Department of Africana Studies, California State University, Long Beach created Kwanzaa, from his community African philosophy, Kawaida, and was first celebrated in Los Angeles in December 1966.

Host or Publisher Mshinda Nyofu, Executive Director