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Kwanzaa

Friday, December 26 - Thursday, January 1
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Celebrate Kwanzaa with The Wright

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is honored to celebrate Kwanzaa 2025 in partnership with ALD Planning Committee / Million Man March, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, ADACI DET, Nanou Djiapo, UNIA, Hood Research, SHRINE OF THE BLACK MADONNA  

This year’s celebration embodies the true spirit of collaboration, heritage, and community empowerment. Together, we gather to uplift the values that have guided generations, celebrating family, culture, and the enduring legacy of African traditions.

Over the course of seven days, we will honor the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Unity (Umoja), Self Determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba), and Faith (Imani). Each day will feature ceremonies, African drum and dance performances, libations, youth showcases, poetry, and community reflections that affirm our shared values and illuminate the path toward collective progress.

The first four days of celebration will take place in person at The Wright Museum, a space dedicated to honoring the resilience and achievements of the African American experience. The final three days will continue at the Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall, underscoring Kwanzaa’s principles of cooperative economics, unity, and shared purpose. Together, these gatherings will remind us that Kwanzaa is not only a time of remembrance but also a call to action to build, support, and sustain our communities all year long.

Kwanzaa 2025 Schedule & Program Overview 

Umoja (Unity) | Friday, December 26

Partnered with ALD Planning Committee / Million Man March

Downtown | 3 PM – 5 PM

  • Lighting of the Umoja (Unity) candle on the World’s Tallest Kinara at Campus Martius

The Wright Museum: Rotunda and General Motors Theater | 3 PM – 9 PM

  • 3:00 – 5:00 PM: Watch Party of the Kinara Lighting Downtown
  • 3:00 – 8:00 PM: Vendor Marketplace
  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Kwanzaa Program in Partnership featuring: African Drum and Dance, Libations, Youth Performances, Poetry and Singing, Umoja / Kwanzaa Unity Candle Lighting, Guest Speaker: Jerjuan Howard (Umoja Debate League), Harambee
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) | Saturday, December 27

Partnered with Malcolm Grassroots Movement

The Wright Museum: Café, Rotunda, & General Motors Theater | 11 AM – 4 PM 

  • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Family & Youth Activities
  • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Vendor Marketplace
  • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (or 2:00 – 4:00 PM): Keynote Presentation in Partnership featuring: Drum Call, Welcome, and Libations, African Drum and Dance, Candle Lighting, Kujichagulia / Self-Determination Reflection, African Naming Ceremony, Guest Speaker and Poetry, Harambee
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) | Sunday, December 28

Partnered with ADACI-DET (with The Hush House Black Community Museum and Birwood House)

The Wright Museum: Café, Rotunda, & General Motors Theater | 11 AM – 4 PM   

  • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Family & Youth Activities
  • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Vendor Marketplace
  • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Keynote Presentation in Partnership featuring: Traditional Drum Call and Welcome, Libations to the Ancestors, Artistic and Cultural Reflections on Collective Work and Responsibility, Community Dialogue, and Harambee
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) | Monday, December 29

Partnered with Nanou Djiapo

The Wright Museum | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Café, Rotunda, & General Motors Theater)

  • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Family & Youth Activities including morning yoga and community engagement
  • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Vendor Marketplace featuring The Wright Museum Store and Black-owned businesses (culmination of Black Shopping Event)
  • 6:00 – 9:00 PM: Kwanzaa Program in Partnership featuring Keynote Presentation in Partnership featuring: Drum Call and Libations, Ujamaa Meaning and Explanation, Kevlar Africa Performance, Spoken Word and Djiapo Arts Cleveland Presentation, Principles and Symbols, Candle Lighting, Dance and Circle Performances, Harambee
Nia (Purpose) | Tuesday, December 30 

Partnered with UNIA

Tuesday, December 30 | Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall

  • Introduction to UNIA and its History
  • History and Meaning of Kwanzaa
  • Libations and Candle Lighting
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Community Q & A
Kuumba (Creativity) | Wednesday, December 31 

Partnered with Hood Research

Wednesday, December 31 | Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall

  • Drum Call and Libations
  • Reflection on Kwanzaa’s Cultural History
  • Kuumba Demonstrations
  • Candle Lighting
  • Coordinated Community Feast
  • Harambee Circle
Imani (Faith) | Thursday, January 1

Partnered with Shrine of the Black Madonna

Thursday, January 1 | Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall

  • Candle Lighting and Libations
  • Dancers and Drummers
  • Poetry and Spoken Word
  • Closing Harambee Circle