August 30, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

L.A. Activities Planned to Mark Start of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa, an African American Holiday (Thinkstock).
Kwanzaa, an African American Holiday (Thinkstock).

A parade, festival and candle lighting ceremony are planned today to mark the start of the 50th seven-day African-American observance of Kwanzaa.

The 39th annual KwanZaa Gwaride parade will be begin at 11 a.m. at the corner of Crenshaw and Adams boulevards, then head south along Crenshaw to Leimert Park, where a festival will be held.

The 14th annual Kwanzaa Heritage Festival and Block Parade will be held from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the street on Degnan Boulevard, near 43rd Street. The festival will include live music, a fashion show, community dancing, crafts, a continuous drum circle, exotic foods and a special children’s village and health screening, according to organizers.

A series of Kwanzaa celebrations at the African American Cultural Center, 3018 W. 48th St., will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an Umoja (Unity) Celebration and Candle Lighting Ceremony, which will include music, cultural expressions, refreshments and Umoja (unity) statements from community leaders, organizers said.

People attending the celebration are asked to bring clean warm clothes and blankets for the needy.

Additional celebrations will be held at the center daily through Friday.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, now chair of Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach, in what he called “an audacious act of self- determination.”

Kwanzaa’s focus is the “Nguzo Saba,” the Seven Principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

During the week, a candelabrum called a Kinara is lit, and ears of corn representing each child in the family are placed on a traditional straw mat.

African foods such as millet, spiced pepper balls and rice are often served. Some people fast during the holiday, and a feast is often held on its final night.

A flag with three bars — red for the struggle for freedom, black for unity and green for the future — is sometimes displayed during the holiday.

Kwanzaa is based on the theory of Kawaida, which espouses that social revolutionary change for black America can be achieved by exposing blacks to their cultural heritage.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Embracing the Principles and Practice of Kwanzaa: Creating and Celebrating the Good,” Karenga wrote in his annual founder’s message.

The theme was named “in order to reaffirm the centrality of the Nguzo Saba,” Karenga wrote.

“The Seven Principles, the Nguzo Saba, prove their enduring and daily reverence in the life we live, the work we do and the struggle we wage on every front to expand the realms of freedom and justice, peace, security, well-being and other goods in the world,” Karenga wrote.

“In a world in which war is as ‘normal’ as the news and conflict and fighting rage at home and abroad, taking its terrible toll on countless innocent victims, and alienation from others is accepted and explained away, Umojga (Unity) teaches us the oneness of our people, the common ground of our humanity, the interrelatedness of life and the indispensability of family and community in our righteous togetherness in love, work and struggle.”

Tags: , in News
Related Posts

Toxic Avenger Reboot Aims to Smash Box Office and Medical Debt on Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Film’s Release Comes With a Promise to Erase Millions in Medical Bills The upcoming release of The Toxic Avenger will...

Trump Says Beverly Hills Residents Leave Cars Open for Thieves, Locals Call It Nonsense

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Officials and Residents Say Trump’s Crime Remarks Don’t Reflect Reality City officials and residents pushed back this week after former...

Beverly Hills Schools Halt Israeli Flag Display Despite School Board Vote

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Superintendent Cites Safety Concerns After Narrow 3–2 Decision Despite a 3–2 Board of Education vote to display the Israeli flag...

Los Angeles County Public Health Probe Sparks Nationwide Egg Recall Over Salmonella

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

More Than 95 Cases Tied to Country Eggs in 14 States; Do Not Eat Affected Cartons Los Angeles Public health...

(Video) The Opening of Mr. Charlie’s with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Vegan burger restaurant with brightly colored decor now open on 26th street across fromthe Brentwood Country Mart. The Opening of...

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...

Jewish Clergy Rally in Los Angeles Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Food Aid for Gaza

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Two Dozen Rabbis Gathered at Israeli Consulate, Hostage’s Family Appears at Second Rally Jewish clergy from across Los Angeles County...

Metro LA’s Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comment on Sepulveda Transit Draft EIR Approaches

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Community Members Can Weigh In Before the 90-Day Comment Period Closes. Metro is reminding community members that the 90-day public...

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, and Uni High Gear Up for Early-Season Games

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The Centaurs, Eagles, Normans, and Wildcats Face Key Matchups This Week Football season is heating up across our area, with...

I-405 to See Lane Reductions, Ramp Closures as Pavement Rehab Project Continues

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Drivers Should Expect Delays With Overnight Work Aug. 26–28, Sept. 5 Motorists using Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass should...

Kobe Day Tribute: Lakers Welcome UCLA Newborns With Purple-and-Gold Gifts

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Babies Received Adorable Care Packages in Celebration of “Kobe Day.” Families welcoming newborns at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and...

Suspect Arrested After Eight-Hour SWAT Standoff in Jefferson Park Shooting

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

 Police Say a Man Was Killed and a Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside a Home Hours after a fatal shooting near...