Pre-KWANZAA Celebration – November

Kwanzaa, an African American holiday based on the first fruit celebrations of Africa, was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture: Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. The holiday is officially celebrated December 26 to January 1. Due to the OU calendar, it is celebrated early while students are still on campus. Kwanzaa is a collaborative cultural presentation of the Office of Multicultural Programs (MCP), the Multicultural Center (MCC) and the Black Student Cultural Programming Board (BSCPB).

Pictures From Past Kwanzaa Events

This year’s Pre-Kwanzaa celebration will take place on Sunday, November 4th at 6:00 pm in the Baker University Center Ballroom.                   

                                       

	The featured Kwanzaa Karamu speaker is Synthia Saint James, international award-winning artist and designer of the first United States Postal Stamp for the Kwanzaa holiday. A self-taught artist and author, Ms. Saint James has written or illustrated 13 children’s picture books, 3 poetry and prose books, 4 children’s activity books, a cookbook and a postcard book. Her work appears on over 60 book covers including Alice Walker, Terry McMillan, Iyanla Vanzant and Julia Boyd.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007	“K” is for Kwanzaa 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Multicultural Center/BUC                 K is for Kwanzaa teaches young children about the history, ceremony and principles of KWANZAA. Children enjoy a morning of activities while gaining practical information that they can share with their families. This is an opportunity for BSCPB to do an outreach program with local area youth.