| Since its creation in 1966, Kwanzaa has retains its | | | | homage to the ancestors, celebrating and honoring the |
| value and importance for African Americans and for | | | | accomplishments of the family and community, and |
| America in general as an instructive guide for achieving | | | | commitment to practicing the life affirming values ( |
| personal excellence, family development, and | | | | Kwanzaa 7 Principles) of the community. |
| community efficacy. Kwanzaa is now observed and | | | | Organized around the Seven Principles- Unity, |
| celebrated in countless homes, schools, and public | | | | Self-determination, Collective work and Responsibility, |
| institutions across America. The Kwanzaa celebration | | | | Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith- |
| is an affirmation of African Americans and their culture. | | | | Kwanzaa offers a way to assess and measure |
| Like African American History Month, Kwanzaa is a | | | | progress in achieving goals which are fundamental to |
| part of the cultural fabric of America and has much to | | | | realizing our highest potential and to building networks |
| offer African Americans and Americans of all races | | | | of care and concern, vital to developing and sustaining |
| and nationalities. | | | | thriving families and healthy communities. |
| Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrated | | | | Though celebrated December 26 though January 1, |
| December 26th thru January 1st. Kwanzaa is not a | | | | the seven values of Kwanzaa are practiced |
| religious holiday, rather; it is cultural holiday based on the | | | | throughout the year. This gives families, school, and |
| "First Fruits" celebrations in traditional African societies. | | | | communities an opportunity to track and measure their |
| In traditional African societies, at the end of the year | | | | commitment to realize their personal and collective |
| the community came together to give thanks for | | | | goals and to honor and celebrate their achievements. |
| healthy and prosperous life and the well-being of the | | | | Promoting an approach which emphasizes recognition |
| family, and to honor the accomplishments of the | | | | of strengths and positive accomplishments, Kwanzaa |
| community. Kwanzaa borrowed five fundamental | | | | serves to reinforce ethical behavior, school success, |
| concepts from the first fruits celebration. These | | | | and family and community service, underscoring one of |
| concepts which informs the Kwanzaa holiday are: | | | | its many methods for motivating positive behavior |
| celebrating the harvest, giving thanks for life and the | | | | change. |
| well-being of the family and community, paying | | | | |