The Kwanzaa Committee of Denver is set to host an entire week of Kwanzaa festivities for people of all ages, kicking off at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance facility on Dec. 26 at 6pm. The First Night Celebration will showcase “The Circle of Wisdom” inductees and the IWADEE African Dance Troupe, and pay tribute to Thedora Jackson, who has been instrumental to the celebration throughout the years.
The week will also feature the Ujamaa Holiday Market with over 50 Black vendors. Additionally, the Denver Public Library is set to host Kwanzaa events in the community rooms at the Ford-Warren, Green Valley Ranch and Park Hill locations.
Before the conception of Kwanzaa, there were no holidays of its kind that celebrated African culture or history.
“Kwanzaa was developed in order to rescue, restore and resurrect African history,” says Dr. Anthony P. Young, founder of the Kuumba Cultural Collective (KCC) of Southern Colorado. KCC will host the Colorado Springs Kwanzaa Celebration at In-Balance Wellness Studio each day from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 at 6pm.
It was amid the revolutionary Black Power movement of the 1960s that Maulana Karenga, an activist and scholar, established Kwanzaa as an official holiday in the United States. This celebration is distinctly different from religious observances and is often misunderstood to be a “Black Christmas.” Instead, Kwanzaa is a celebration of African and African-American culture. It is a vibrant tapestry woven from the rich threads of African agricultural traditions, particularly the ancient practices of “first fruits” celebrations dating back to civilizations like ancient Egypt and Nubia.
Young says Kwanzaa was created as a celebration of the entire continent of Africa. Since the first Kwanzaa celebration in 1965, millions of people have taken part in its celebration across the globe.
“The holiday grew because Black people embraced it,” says Karenga. People wanted to celebrate Kwanzaa because it “spoke their special cultural truth in a multicultural world and they embraced it as their own.”
He went on to say that he created Kwanzaa to reaffirm African-Americans into their culture and strengthen their bonds to each other, as well as to strengthen family, community and cultural ties. “We get our sense of self from how we assert ourselves in the world,” says Karenga in his book, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.
Kwanzaa transcends being a mere time of festivity, it is a celebration of African unity and pride. Narrated by the late poet, Maya Angelou, The Black Candle documentary further explores Kwanzaa’s development from its civil-rights era origins to present-day.
The holiday stands as a powerful commemoration, paying tribute to the expansive history, richly diverse culture, profound philosophy and myriad of achievements by global African communities. Observing Kwanzaa, with principles that can be actively embraced throughout the year, helps maintain the heritage and positive values of African and African-American cultures.
In Denver, Kwanzaa celebrations are a community affair, with several community leaders working together to create an enriching schedule of events at locations throughout the metro area. For over 20 years, the Kwanzaa Committee of Denver, Inc. has facilitated festive programs, sharing the seven virtues that represent each day of Kwanzaa and educating the community about their importance.
Sadly, committee president and community elder, Thedora Jackson, who devoted many years to the organization and promotion of Kwanzaa activities and events, passed away on Nov. 14, 2023. The loss of the cherished elder will reverberate through the Kwanzaa season and for years to come.
Jackson’s legacy as Denver’s Kwanzaa facilitator highlights her desire for the holiday’s principles to be incorporated throughout the year. She regularly encouraged members of the community to live each day with the principles of Kwanzaa in mind. Special tributes to her memory will be held during the week-long celebration, with special honors given at the First Night Celebration at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance facility on Dec. 26 at 6pm. She will also be honored at the Kwanzaa Senior Luncheon, held at Zion Senior Center on Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Deborah Fard, founder and program coordinator at the Dr. Justina Ford STEM Institute, will step into Jackson’s shoes this year, as community leaders Brother Jeff Fard and Isetta Rawls continue to orchestrate Denver’s Kwanzaa events with respect to the great work that has been done over time.
“We absolutely extend our condolences to her family. As a community, we know that Thedora has become an ancestor, to help us continue the tradition of the Kwanzaa celebration in Denver,” says Fard, who will act as the Kwanzaa Committee of Denver’s interim president.
“She took the helm after Opalanga Pugh’s transition, and Opalanga was the creator of, not the celebration, but certainly the Big Dance Celebration and many things that we do as a community. Thedora was able to continue that tradition; we appreciate her efforts and we are grateful for her contributions.”
As Fard looks ahead to future Kwanzaa celebrations, she is excited to rebrand and update the celebration with technological upgrades and new events.
“We’re going to be doing some new things to make sure that we are as inclusive as possible, because this is a celebration for everyone. We want to provide more information about what Kwanzaa is about and why it’s important that we celebrate it – not only as a people, but community-broad. There is something for everyone!”
The celebration serves as a reminder to appreciate the diversity that strengthens communities all over the world. The shared prosperity represented by inspiring holiday celebrations, and attention to principles that support unity and advancement are meaningful gifts that welcome a new calendar year.
Kwanzaa Facts
Habari Gani/What’s Happening? Kwanzaa is officially celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, with each day devoted to the emphasis of one of the seven principles, known as Nguzo Saba.
Umoja (oo–mo–jah) embodies the principle of unity across family, community, nations and race. It urges you to live a peaceful life and maintain a collective concern for every community member.
Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–lee–yah) represents the principle of self-determination. It promotes the idea that you should actively define, name, create and articulate your life narrative, rather than relinquishing that agency to others.
Ujima (oo–gee–mah) is the principle of collective work and responsibility. The meaning of this principle is that there is a collective African identity that everyone must work together to shape.
Ujamaa (oo–jah–mah) is the principle of cooperative economics. This is a commitment to achieving and sharing social wealth.
Nia (nee–yah) is the principle of purpose. It is the commitment to building, developing, and defending the community.
Kuumba (koo–oom–bah) is the principle of creativity. This speaks to the restoration and betterment of each community with the passing of each generation.
Imani (ee–mah–nee) is the principle of faith. This is the belief that we must be united in our goal, having faith and a united vision is fundamental.
These principles, in addition to seven fundamental symbols used during Kwanzaa, signify essential values and are used to foster strong connections to African culture .
Editor’s Note: For more information, announcements and a complete listing of Denver Kwanzaa events visit www.brotherjeff.com. Colorado Springs Kwanzaa event information is available at www.cospringskwanzaa.org.
Latrice Owens
Born and raised in Denver, CO, Ruby has traveled and lived internationally, spending time near major metropolitan cities such as Baltimore, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans and Copenhagen, Denmark. She has been recognized by the Colorado Press Association for her editorial community reporting, and actively participates in programming that advances racial justice and diversity in media. With a background in nonprofit administration, she seeks to strengthen communities and transform lives through education, empowerment and activism. She is the CEO and Founder of PRSM Business Services and PRSM Communications, and her focus areas include history, empowered women, relationships, business, entertainment, youth leadership, arts and culture.
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