NJPAC Brings Holiday Cheer And Unity With Huge Kwanzaa Celebration

On Saturday, December 21, NJPAC’s Kwanzaa celebration began with an uplifting musical performance in the Prudential Hall Lobby. This set the stage for a holy day filled with love and unity as NJPAC welcomed guests and honored elders. Author, poet, and educator Betty Neals was specifically honored as NJPAC inducted her into its 2024 Council of Elders.

The Kwanzaa festival featured more song, dance, and drumming performances from several groups and artists, breathing life into the halls of NJPAC throughout the day. These performers include Orange High School, BellaStar, Dyani Star, Samar Newsome, Anthony “Solo” Harris and Team EVO, the Pzazz Dance Group of Smulibg David’s Dance School, Leah Jenea, and many more.

Likewise, the NJPAC welcomed multiple businesses from within and outside New Jersey to sell their wares to the public, highlighting African-American culture in its many forms. Among these vendors were Rev. Dr. Alfonso and Ouida Wyatt of OUIDAexpressions.

“When we look at Kwanzaa…it encourages independence,” said Dr. Wyatt. “It encourages working together. So, as a business, it’s an opportunity to work with people who wish to support a particular effort and be a role model. To me, it’s not just about the money. It’s about being a role model. It’s about being an influence to these young people… and to do the best that we can.”

Though this was a huge community gathering, all vendors and activities at the NJPAC were organized and divided based on the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). 

According to Kira Ruth, NJPAC’s Senior Manager of Programming Operations, the festival’s attractions were each designed to promote one of the Kwanzaa principles that strengthen the African-American community. Thus, the holiday festival became a profound and spiritual journey through African-American history and culture.

“I hope [the people] feel appreciated. I hope they feel recognized. I hope they feel like we’re family because we all are,” said Ruth.

The festival also featured several activities catering to children, including arts and crafts, face painting, mask masking. Likewise, the NJPAC offered kids singing, dancing, and drumming lessons courtesy of the Umoja Dance Company, Zawadi African Dance and Drum, and the Newark School of The Arts. The NJPAC even held attractions centered around good well-being, such as a Dogon Yoga Class and a Grief Healing Circle.

Additionally, NJPAC featured reading and creative activities hosted by members of some of its many community partners: Newark Public Library and the Beta Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Members of the latter read Valerie Flournoy’s My Patchwork Quilt to the children, had them make their own paper patchwork quilts, and gave them copies of  The Night Before Kwanzaa.

“Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that celebrates the fruits of our labor, which are our children,” said Alpha Kappa Alpha member Valerie Hampton. As a result, she and her sorority highlighted the principle of Kuumba, promoting artistic expression and imagination in local youth.

The festival even welcomed local authors who read their books to eager and excited children. These writers include Tarana Peaches, author of Wacky-Zacky Bugs Out, and Nicole Horn-Shelton, aka Serenity K, author of Conquering Your Fears. Through their books, these writers taught their child audience how to overcome their fears while presenting colorful stories that spark the imagination.

Overall, NJPAC’s Kwanzaa celebration demonstrated the spirit of love, hope, and unity within the African-American community. Dozens traveled through cold, harsh weather to enjoy the holiday with each other. However, as Rev. Dr. Wyatt said, Kwanzaa is not limited to the African-American community.

“Anyone that wants to celebrate these principles [of Kwanzaa] can celebrate the seven principles,” he said. “And it’s also a place, a safe place. I mean, to have an institution [like] NJPAC supporting communities, bringing people, helping young people, and giving fresh experiences. This is all the life-shaking things that can change a young person’s life and their perspective.”