The joy of Black culture, history to be celebrated at Kwanzaa event in Palm Bay

To Dallas Clark, the candles kindled the first night of Kwanzaa are not just about light dispelling darkness but a moment when celebrants can share in the joyful appreciation of Black history and culture that has inspired generations.

“Kwanzaa allows us to unite and celebrate the richness of our African heritage,” said the Palm Bay resident, a cultural arts educator and the host for what organizers describe as an intimate, community gathering to mark the theme of Umoja or Unity- the first day of Kwanzaa on Monday night.

The Nguzu Saba Collective, the private cultural board that has organized Kwanzaa-related events in Brevard for more than a decade, is sponsoring the upcoming Community Kwanzaa celebration that begins 7 p.m. Dec. 26 at Veggie Land Restaurant at 1851 Palm Bay Road.

Kwanzaa – Swahili for ‘first fruits’ – is a holiday created in 1966 by activist Maulana Karenga and designed to highlight the seven principles – including community, cooperative economics and creativity – that he observed in a diverse range of African-based cultures worldwide, from Africa to North America. The festival, also a time when books or homemade gifts are given, is based on the harvest celebrations found in ancient African cultures. It is also one of several holidays or annual observances tied to Black history or culture in the U.S., from Juneteenth in June to Black History month in February and Emancipation Day on Jan. 1. Haitian Independence is also celebrated on Jan. 1.

The non-religious commemoration welcoming of the seven-day annual festival, filled with recognitions of the life, lore and principles of unity, self-determination and collective work that have communities of African-descent across the globe. Kwanzaa beings Dec. 26 and ends Jan. 1.

The Community Kwanzaa event is open to the public, with vegetarian meals and fresh blended drinks offered at a nominal price by Veggie Land’s owner, organizers say. Palm Bay City Councilmember Kenny Johnson, who recently won a second term to office, will be the keynote speaker and to discuss a slate of topics from economics to mentoring youth.

Earl Simmons, a community advocate and one of the organizers of the event, said the message of Kwanzaa comes at an important when history involving marginalized communities is being threatened as the nation gets back to normal in a post-pandemic world.

The event is also geared toward ushering in a new generation to take up the mantle of teaching about the longstanding of histories of the joy, struggles and successes of Black history, from the Black mathematicians whose work on orbital mechanics helped put Americans on the moon during the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s to the influences on popular culture with fashion and music.

More:Black and Jewish: Overcoming the darkness of bigotry with light of Hanukkah

“I want people to step away with the information that this is our celebration, and it has taken hold in the African American community in our country and in the Diaspora. Coming off of the pandemic, it’s needed. And we will have a good program. This is our first in-person event since COVID and the fact that we’re getting interest from the public for this shows its very much needed,” Simmons said.

There will be other tributes to past African and Black American leaders – including those who like author and poet Augusta Williams who died earlier this year – along with African-inspired drumming. There will also be a limited supply of curated books on Black history, culture and literature provided free of charge to guests by The Little Black Book Drive group that provided reading materials to children during the Juneteenth holiday in June. Several vendors will also be offering limited items, including jewelry and clothing, for sale.

“It’s a celebration,” said John Perry, a Melbourne businessman who moved to Brevard 42 years ago, and acts as masters of ceremony for the event. “This is a holiday for us. This is ours and being Jamaican and learning about it has been a tremendous insight for me.”

Clark agreed.

“I love that Kwanzaa is a cultural observance,” Clark said. “It’s not a religious one and that young, old, Black and other ethnicities will discover the contributions and resilience of Black folks.”

J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

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