Chicago Celebrates Kwanzaa with Unity and Community Focus
Chicago is buzzing with Kwanzaa celebrations this year, highlighting the holiday’s principles of unity and community strength. While rooted in African American culture, organizers emphasize its universal relevance and its ability to foster togetherness amidst a sometimes divisive climate. Events across the city offer a diverse range of activities, from traditional crafts and storytelling to live music and wellness workshops, celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Malcolm X College, hosting its nearly 20-year-long Kwanzaa celebration, exemplifies this inclusive spirit. President David Sanders stresses the holiday’s importance for all people, stating that understanding its core principles leads to unity and a stronger nation. He contrasts the holiday’s message with the current political polarization, advocating for collaborative solutions rather than divisive factions. The college’s celebration, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily on the first floor, features live music, art, markets, and dance performances.
The Bronzeville Children’s Museum, the only African-American history museum for children in the city, is also embracing the holiday’s spirit. Founder Peggy Montes, 88, is preparing for their annual Kwanzaa celebration, a tradition spanning 26 years. This year’s activities for children aged 4-9 include crafting paper masks depicting the seven principles, storytelling by the “Kwanzaa King,” singing, and face painting, all centered around a traditional Kwanzaa altar. Montes emphasizes the importance of celebrating African-American culture and history while fostering community understanding.
Chi-Village, a group founded in 2020 to support independent performing artists, is celebrating its second annual Kwanzaa event at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center. Sobenna Worrill, the daughter of the center’s namesake, views Kwanzaa as an opportune time for Black Americans to connect, plan for the coming year, and strengthen their community. Their celebration will include wellness workshops, vendors, pop-up shows, and fashion shows, all reflecting the harvest theme of the holiday and its focus on planting seeds for the future. Worrill clarifies that Kwanzaa is a cultural, not a religious holiday, and celebrates the traditions of the African diaspora. Despite some celebrations beginning after Christmas, Worrill emphasizes that Kwanzaa’s principles do not conflict with the December 25th holiday.