“Uniting to Build Stronger Communities, Families and Leadership”

December 26, 2009 thru January 1, 2010

What: SAN FRANCISCO -- The Village Project, in collaboration with community organizations, presents Kwanzaa Celebration 2009 for the City of San Francisco. Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is celebrated annually by more than 30 million people worldwide, over seven days from December 26 to January 1.

The values of Kwanzaa, Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles), are critical tools for addressing the issues facing the African-American community. Adrian Williams is the founder of The Village Project, a youth service organization focusing on education and cultural enrichment for youth and their families in the Western Addition. She has revived the celebration of Kwanzaa throughout San Francisco, by connecting traditionally African American communities for this celebration. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa will be hosted at seven different venues throughout the City. Participating communities will present exciting and enriching cultural programs intended to both engage and entertain the entire family. The Community Partners of these events include: The Filllmore Center, the buchanan ymca, mayor’s office of neighborhood services, western addition family resource center, marcus bookstore, African american holistic wellness program, omi ymca, Bayview YMCA, Kaiser Permanent, The Fillmore Benefit District, minnie & lovie rec center, bayview public library, african american art and culture complex, the jazz heritage center, yoshi’s, bayview ymca, S.N.I.G, Margaret Hayward rec-connect, opportunity impact, sf safe, kwanza morton, and malik seneferu.

When: December 26, 2009 thru January 1, 2010

Where: Umoja (unity): Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009; 12 Noon - 4:30 pm, Fillmore Center Plaza, 1475 Fillmore: to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia (self-determination): Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009; 1:30 – 5 pm, Buchanan YMCA, 1530 Buchanan: to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (collective work and responsibility): Monday, Dec. 28, 2009; 12 Noon - 1:00 pm, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Way: 6:00 pm. Marcus Book Store, 1712 Fillmore: to build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (cooperative economics): Tuesday, Dec 29, 2009; 3 pm – 7 pm, The Minnie & Lovie Rec Center, 650 Capitol Street: to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses together.

Nia (purpose): Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009; 1 pm - 3 pm, Bayview Library, 5075 3^rd Street; 6 pm Reception, 7 pm Program, African American Arts & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton: to make our collective vocation the building of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (creativity): Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, 2 pm – 5 pm, Yoshi’s & The Jazz Heritage Center, 1330 Fillmore: to do as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (faith): Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, 6 pm – 8 pm, Bayview YMCA, 1601 Lane Street; to believe with our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Tickets: ALL EVENTS FREE

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For more information please contact:
JHC at peter@jazzheritagecenter.org