Individuals celebrating Kwanzaa will feel a sense of community at the African American Museum next week.
Philadelphia Black Pride President Le Thomas noted that the spirit of the organization’s Dec. 30 Kwanzaa Collaborative event is especially timely.
“We saw in the country how the election affected everyone,” Thomas said. “Some people are going to internalize differently than others. I think just learning about the strength of the community helps move us forward because all we ever had in the community is the strength to endure a lot of the things that we had to endure.”
While the Kwanzaa Collaborative has traditionally been held at William Way LGBT Community Center, Thomas said the organization wanted to do something different for the event’s 10th anniversary.
“It organically seemed like the right fit for the celebration so we wanted to expand upon culture and that way, people get to see some of the exhibits,” Thomas said about moving the celebration to the museum. “They get that exposure from the museum that they may not get normally because, a lot of times, we take [for granted] the history and the culture that we have in Philadelphia because it’s always there. Now, we have an opportunity to celebrate Kwanzaa and the principles but also highlight the museum and its 40 years of being in existence.”
Previous events have focused on all seven principles of Kwanzaa, or the Nguzo Saba, with one principle being celebrated on each of the holiday’s seven days. However, the 10th anniversary will celebrate the principle of the day the event falls on: Nia, or “purpose.” Attendees will see musical- and poetic-performance pieces revolving around this particular theme.
“We’re trying to incorporate a lot of culture by way of performance and have everyone’s performance center around ‘purpose’ and however they interpret it through their art,” Thomas said.
While the main focus will be on Nia, Thomas said the other principles will be showcased as well. He said each principle should be examined due to the country’s political climate.
“These principles are definitely something that we should look at in a way to grow because right now, the country is in a bit of a topsy-turvy, upside-down,” Thomas said. “We need to have something to grab hold on that can help push us forward.”
Thomas said the event is open to all.
“You will learn something about yourself and learn something about culture or another culture,” Thomas said. “That’s always great because it helps with progress, where we’ve been and where we can go, especially at this particular juncture that we find ourselves in.”
In addition to Philadelphia Black Pride, the event also is supported by The Colours Organization, The Attic Youth Center, Men of All Colors Together, Unity Fellowship Church, William Way, Beta Phi Omega, Rasta Boi and Ms. Helen Dow.
The Kwanzaa Collaborative event will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 30 at the African American Museum, 701 Arch St.