HAPPY 40TH KWANZAA KANSAS CITY!!!

TKC readers might not know that Kwanzaa is a big part of local holiday traditions and every year the celebration gathers more support and interest.

Growing up this local blogger attended more than a few Kwanzaa office parties with my mom but they're really not as fun as the celebration in the Historic Jazz District. 

Here's our favorite part: 

The music and drums are invigorating and kick-off a joyous event. 

Also, the honesty is refreshing . . . In Kansas City, the Kwanzaa celebration is overtly political, cultural and focused on support and commitment to the Black community. 

For this blog, we first covered the event back in 2012.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the celebration.

A few things to consider . . .

Yes, there is some talk about reparations and other priorities for the Black community but the forum is appropriate and, TKC readers should know that federally funded amends for the horrors of American slavery is, in fact, part of the mainstream discourse

But, again, more than anything . . . 

What we've enjoyed about Kansas City Kwanzaa is the idea of commitment to community -- Beyond the smaller family focused holiday gatherings.

Kwanzaa is a great place to relearn that, like it or not, we live in a diverse and multi-ethnic society and our neighbors deserve our consideration. 

At the very least . . . It's good to know about all of multitude of celebrations occurring throughout the metro. 

Here's a more info . . .

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

How to celebrate Umoja on Day 1 of Kwanzaa

theGrio breaks down how to celebrate Day 1 of the Kwanzaa holiday Dec. 26 marks the beginning of Kwanzaa, and on this first day, we light the sole Black candle at the center of our kinara in honor of the principle Umoja, meaning Unity.


The seven principles of Kwanzaa

Christmas might be over, but Kwanzaa is just getting started.Today marks the start of Kwanzaa, also spelled Kwanza (with one 'a' at the end). It's a seven-day non-religious holiday observed in the U.S., meant to honor African Americans' ancestral roots. The celebration lasts until Jan.


What Is Kwanzaa? The Celebration Is Filled With So Many Rich Traditions

The annual Kwanzaa traditions that Dele Lowman celebrated with her mom, brothers and surrounding community in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, were the highlight of her childhood. "One of the things my family would do is write out African Proverbs in calligraphy on nice paper, that my mom would have me decorate them," she says.

Developing . . .

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