Kwanzaa
at the Clinton Presidential Center
Heri za Kwanzaa, or Happy Kwanzaa from the Clinton Center!
Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, community values, and culture. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga to reaffirm and restore African heritage and culture and to serve as a nationally celebrated communal holiday. Kwanzaa takes place over seven days, from December 26th to January 1st, with each day celebrating one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
President Bill Clinton was the first U.S. president to recognize Kwanzaa. Thirty years ago, during the Clinton’s first holiday season in the White House in 1993, President Clinton issued a message on the observance of Kwanzaa. This year, the Clinton Center invites you to learn about Kwanzaa through this new video series we’ve created for the holiday – one video each day, focusing on the principle for that day.
Day 1: Umoja “Unity”
Kendi Jensen-Loving introduces us to the celebration of Kwanzaa.
ACTIVITY: Today, learn about the symbols of Kwanzaa. Print the coloring pages, which include the major symbols of the holiday. Which one is your favorite? You can share your finished drawing with us using your grownup’s social media with the hashtag, #KwanzaawithCPC
Download the coloring sheets here.
Day 2: Kujichagulia “Self Determination”
Stephanie Sims, supervisory curator for the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum reads “Together for Kwanzaa” by Juwanda G. Ford.
ACTIVITY: Watch the “What is Racism?” video from Sesame Street along with your family. It tells the story of a kid named Brandon, and a time he encountered racism, which is the unfair treatment of someone based on their race or color of their skin. After you watch the video, talk about it with your family. Think of a time when you were treated unfairly. How did that make you feel? If you saw something happening like when Brandon was told he couldn’t be a superhero because he wasn’t white, what could you do to be a helper?
Day 3: Ujima “Collective Work and Responsibility”
Courtney Bradford, curator at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center shares what Ujima means to her.
ACTIVITY: Our past guides our future. The Clinton Presidential Center is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, a city full of rich historical sites relating to the African-American Civil Rights movement. You can explore some of these important sites through the Little Rock Civil Rights Tour.
Day 4: Ujamaa “Cooperative Economics”
Nate Thomas, deputy director of impact and design for Clinton Global Initiative University, speaks about sharing work and wealth.
ACTIVITY: Food is an important part of Kwanzaa celebrations. Little Rock is home to many Black-owned restaurants – pick one for your next meal out! Look up Black-owned businesses in your town and plan for your next shopping trip. Zawadi, or Kwanzaa gifts, are often handmade or educational in nature. Where can you go to find zawadi?
See Black-owned restaurants in Little Rock.
Day 5: Nia “Purpose”
Poet Drekkia Writes shares some verse about Nia and introduces the day’s activity.
ACTIVITY: Write your own Kwanzaa poem with Drekkia Writes! Check out her video above with some inspiration, then download the sheet below to guide you. You can share your finished poem using your grownup’s social media with the hashtag, #KwanzaawithCPC.
Download the poem activity sheet.
Day 6: Kuumba “Creativity”
The Rodney Block Collective shares their creative take on “What a Wonderful World.”
ACTIVITY: Today we invite you to express your creativity with a collage or vision board. Ask yourself: what can I do to make a more wonderful world for myself? My family? My community? Now, use your collage or vision board to show who you are.
Day 7: Imani “Faith”
Garbo Hearne, owner of Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing, shares how she and her family celebrate Kwanzaa.
ACTIVITY: Have a family discussion! Sit down together and discuss the following: What does faith mean to us individually? What does faith mean to us as a family? What does faith mean to us as a community? When you’re finished, you can complete this color by number activity. Share your finished drawing on a grownup’s social media with the hashtag, #KwanzaawithCPC!
