“Celebrate Kwanzaa” during two special programs as TCCL invites families to participate in the annual holiday focusing on seven principles for building a stronger community.

Dec. 27, 6-8:30 p.m., Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford

   Join African-American dancers and drummers as we celebrate the harvest and the beginning of a successful year! Do you know how to sing, dance, perform spoken word, or play a musical instrument? Share your talent during the “Mamanem” segment of the program as we honor our ancestors and celebrate our community. Students age 18 and younger will receive a free book. Sponsored by the African-American Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust.

Dec. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Suburban Acres Library, 4606 N. Garrison

   Join us as we recognize the fourth day of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa (collective economics). Drop in to learn more about the concept and get information on methods to use year-round to benefit self and the community. Please bring a canned good to donate to a needy family in the community. We will light the Ujamaa candle in honor of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

   “During Kwanzaa, we celebrate the New Year, honor our ancestors and light candles in memory of the ones who went before,” said Alicia Latimer, TCCL’s African-American Resource Center coordinator.  “All members of the community are welcome to enjoy this yearly family oriented harvest ceremony.”

   The seven principles of Kwanzaa are:      

Umoja (unity) – Maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia (self-determination) – Define, name, create and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (collective work and responsibility) – Build and maintain community together and solve problems as a group.

Ujamaa (cooperative economics) – Build and maintain stores and shops, and profit from them together.

Nia (purpose) – Make building the community a collective vocation.

Kuumba (creativity) – Do as much as possible to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than before.

Imani (faith) – Believe in our people, parents, teachers and leaders.

   For more information on Tulsa City-County Library programming, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org.

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