Stockton Downtown Waterfront ~ Preparation for the Golden Anniversary of Kwanzaa

Preparations for the Golden Anniversary of Kwanzaa features Victory Gardens workshop, a CD release party for the single "I'm Living Kwanzaa" and later a fundraiser for Friends of Rwanda Association.

Throughout the California Central Valley we are preparing for the Golden Anniversary of Kwanzaa.

Together, we will showcase our amazing historical contributions here in the "Greatest Garden in the World" while focusing on future job creation, career advancement and community economic development taking advantage of expanding California ~ Pan African Agriculture Trade and Commerce.

H.E. Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana our honored guest and keynote speaker for the Golden Anniversary of Kwanzaa. She is co-founder and President of Friends of Rwanda Association (F.O.R.A), a non-profit American relief association created in the wake of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda.

In 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga as leader of the US Organization founded Kwanzaa, as a positive response, to the aftermath of the death and destruction of the Watts Riots in Los Angeles, CA.

Today, Dr. Karenga continues to teach as Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, California State University Long Beach, helping to share around the world, his vision of "first fruits of the harvest" the basis of today's Pan African Holiday.

Kwanzaa as a spiritual, festive, joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life that celebrates, “first fruits of the agriculture harvest” as central to a living social practice. Kwanzaa is a time of remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing.

Our special 50th Anniversary of Kwanzaa, we pause and share our unique contributions globally, helping a people to restore a sustainable approach and scientific methodology to expand an ancient/future understanding of the Agriculture foundation of Kwanzaa, "first fruits of the harvest."

7 Principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba (n-Goo-zo Sah-bah)
Umoja (Oo-moh-jah) – Unity
Kujichagulia (Koo-jee-ch-goo-lee-ah) – Self-Determination
Ujima (Oo-jee-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility
Ujamaa (Oo-jah-mah) Cooperative Economics
Nia (Nee-yah) Purpose
Kuumba (Koo-oom-bah) – Creativity
Imani (Ee-mah-nee) - Faith

7 Kwanzaa Symbols
Mkeka (Mm-kay-kah) – Straw mat (Symbolizing foundation – our tradition and history)
Kinara (Ka-nah-rah) – Candleholder (Symbolizing our ancestors)
Mishumaa Saba (Mee-shoo-mah) Seven candles (Symbolizing the seven principles)
Vibunzi (Vee-boon-zee) - Ears of corn (Symbolizing our children)
Mazao (Mah-zah-oh) - Fruit and vegetables (Symbolizing cultivation and productive labor)
Kikombe Cha (Kee-khom-bay-cha) - Unity cup (Symbolizing unity)
Zawadi (Zah-wah-dee) – Gifts (Symbolizing commitments made and kept)

Everyone, especially the children, are encouraged to identify practical ways to incorporate the principle symbols of Kwanzaa throughout the year.