When Kwanzaa starts on Saturday, December 26, those in Nashville celebrating will be without the man who introduced the holiday to the community in 1983, and each year organized a major community event during the weeklong observance. This Saturday on the first night of Kwanzaa they will stream the last inspiring interview of Baba Kwame Lillard taken during the filming of the community film “I Am My Ancestor”. Tune in on Saturday, Dec.26 at 7pm for the live streaming of the film on KwanzaaNashville.com and Kwanzaa Nashville FB live.
Kwanzaa Nashville is a network of organizations whose mission is to promote the Nguzo Saba year-round. The current organizers of Kwanzaa Nashville say, “… our community father, Kwame Leo Lillard, became an ancestor. This is a time of unimaginable mourning. It is also a powerful opportunity to acknowledge and exalt the impact Brother/Baba Kwame had on Nashville, and the world. A lifelong organizer and visionary, Kwame was the original founder of Kwanzaa Nashville and the African Street Festival; a Civil Rights sit-in demonstrator; a former Metro Councilman and a 24-hour revolutionary.
“We honor his example of living the principles of Kwanzaa and his insistence that focus, faith and fortitude inspires liberation. We revere his belief that the ancestors walk among us. Now, we add his name to the list of leaders whose lives offer the legacy of leadership, collective work, love and determination.”
KWANZAA NASHVILLE Week is organized by a group of dedicated and passionate individuals who seek to expose and inspire Black Pride in the city of Nashville through the Celebration of Kwanzaa embodied in the practice and adoption of the Nguzo Saba (Seven-Principles of Kwanzaa). This dynamic group of creatives, entrepreneurs, and community organizers come together in the spirit of Umoja (Unity) and Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) to curate 7 amazing nights of events filled with experiences that celebrate CommUnity, Family and Black Culture in Nashville. They include Maria Hall, Founder & Chair; Joseph Bazelais, Community Engagement; Marquita Holt, Marketing; Jamilla Tyrrell, Community Organizer; Rashad Donaldson, Community Organizer; and NewLee Made, Photography/Visual Historian.
They are bringing Kwanzaa Nashville 2020 straight to your homes for their first ever Virtual Kwanzaa at 7 pm CST every night of Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1, virtually online to experience each Principle of Kwanzaa. Gather your families around the largest TV in your home and celebrate Family, Community and Culture together.
Umoja Dec 26, 7:00 PM –” I AM MY ANCESTOR – UnMasking Our Roots” is a community film celebrating the the resilience of our Ancestors and the manifestation of their dreams thru the lives, art and music of the Kwanzaa Nashille Community.
Kujichagulia, Dec 27, 7:00 PM – AACA Virtual Kwanzaa
Ujima, Dec 28, 7:00 PM – Teen Summit
Ujamaa, Dec 29, Virtual Black Business Expo & Conference via Hopin
Conference: 9AM-5PM with Expo: 7PM-10PM
The Virtual Black Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for the community to activate its Ujamaa power by becoming acquainted with Nashville’s Black businesses and supporting black business by purchasing products and services during the virtual Ujamaa Black Business Expo.
Nia, Dec 30, 7:00 PM – A Community Conversation On Purpose
Kuumba, Dec 31, 7:00 PM – Virtual Talent Show
Celebrate our Artists, Singers, Dancers, Poets, Actors, Gymnast, Rappers and Creatives
Imani – Healing Experience
Jan 01, 2021, 7:00 PM
