Mobile's Kwanzaa Celebrations
Dec 21st, 2007
Kwanzaa 2007-A Celebration of LifePublic Invited To 30th Annual Celebration
The Mobile Annual Kwaanza Committee in conjunction with area organizations, businesses, and churches has joined together this holiday season to sponsor Kwanzaa 2007-A Celebration of Life. The celebration will be held over a seven-day period beginning Wednesday, December 26th.
Kwanza is not a religious event. The celebration is based on Seven Principles called Nguzo Saba (an African term for Seven Principles). It is a celebration of Family, Community, and Culture that can be experienced by all cultures. To that end, the Kwanzaa committee has organized the following program for this year’s celebration:
Principle 1: Unity or Umoja (oo-MOH-jah)
Date: December 26, 2007
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Bethel AME Church-714 Savannah Street
The 1st night of will be hosted by the Black Social Workers of Mobile and the Mobile Kwanzaa Committee, and will open the Kwanzaa Season with a celebration of the principle “Unity”. We began by saying, “Let there be unity in the family, community, race and nation and let it begin with me”. Rev. Robert “Bobby” Brown will be the keynote speaker. This festive celebration will include poetry, African cuisine and native African dance. The public is invited. Admission is free.
For More Information About This Event Call: Lindell Dillard – 433-8140
Principle 2: Self-Determination or Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah)
Date: December 27, 2007
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: The Ivy Center- 4363 Downtowner Loop North
The 2nd night of Kwanzaa will be hosted by Culturama, Delteens and members of Jack and Jill’s Beautillion Militaire. The seven principles of Kwanzaa, called the Nguzo Saba, provide the common themes on which this night’s celebration will be based. These principles provide us with a value system to live by throughout the year. Skits, poetry, music, praise and native African dance will be presented to illustrate each principal. The seven basic symbols that will be used to perform the rituals in the Kwanzaa ceremony will be explained. The public is invited. Admission is free.
For More Information About This Event Call: Lindell Dillard – 433-8140
Principle 3: Collective work and responsibility or Ujima (oo-JEE-mah)
Date: December 28, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Dotch Community Center-3100 Banks Street
The 3rd day of Kwanzaa,Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), will be hosted by the Bay Area Women’s Coalition at the Dotch Community Center. The real First Families of Trinity Gardens celebrate Kwanzaa by planting more than 300 trees in the community. People from every walk of life and from diverse backgrounds are invited to join in as Ujima comes alive through the streets of Trinity Gardens. Food and refreshments are free to all.
For More Information About This Event Call: Bay Area Women – 457-6867
Principle 4: Collective Economics or Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH)
Date: December 29, 2007
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Black Classics Books-140 South Sage at Emogene Street
The Advertising Management Group, Black Classics Books & Gifts, and Dinkins Realty, a member of the National Board of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), will host the 4th day of Kwanzaa. Presentations will include investment options, home ownership, and strategies to promote a successful business. The public is invited. Admission is free.
For More Information About This Event Call: Greg Cyprian – 599-7515
Principle 5: Purpose or Nia (NEE-ah)
Date: December 30, 2007
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Stewart Memorial C.M.E. Church-1266 Davis Avenue
The 5th day of Kwanzaa, Nia, will be hosted by Reverend Bernard Johnson at Stewart Memorial C.M.E. Join the Mobile NAACP ACT-SO committee as it celebrates Kwanzaa and unveils a major high school academic competition. The public is invited. Admission is free.
For More Information About This Event Call: Daphne Taylor – 633-9429
Principle 6: Creativity or Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah)
Date: December 31, 2007
Time: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Fort Conde-Downtown Mobile
The 6th day of Kwanzaa will be hosted by the Mobile Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. It will be included as a preliminary event to the City of Mobile’s Annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display. Starting at 9 p.m., the Delta’s will present a one-hour presentation of readings, music, and dance. The city will then present the group Emerge, who will perform ontil the display begins at Midnight. The public is invited. Admission is free.
For More Information About This Event Call: Tonja Smith (Deltas) – 460-0576 or Greg Cyprian (City) – 599-7515
Principle 7: Faith or Imani (ee-MAH-nee):
Date: January 1, 2008
Time: Your Choice
Where: Your Choice
Believing in our people, our families, our educators, and our leaders is the basis of the last day of Kwanzaa. It is a day that should be celebrated with family in a venue of the celebrant’s choice.
There is free admission for all activities. For Vender registration or additional information contact The Mobile Kwanzaa Committee, Elder Makinde A. Gbolahan, Chairman, at (251)476-1409.