In a nod to cultural acknowledgment and inclusivity, Minneapolis city leaders will officially take part in Kwanzaa festivities for the first time. The Minneapolis Black Employees Network has taken the initiative to organize a video series from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 that will see different city leaders daily highlighting the seven principles of Kwanzaa, as confirmed by an announcement on the city's website.
Throughout the week-long celebration, one of the City leaders will share thoughts on a principle such as unity, self-determination, or collective work and responsibility, and light a candle on the kinara, the traditional candle holder. The display will include one black, three red, and three green candles, each color a symbol within this cultural festival.
The pan-African celebration, established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga—a professor and chair of the Department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach—honors African American heritage and values. It offers a time for reflection on the collective identities and values that are rooted deeply in African cultures.
With this public gesture, Minneapolis joins a growing number of cities that recognize Kwanzaa as a holiday of significance to many African Americans and allies seeking to embrace the rich tapestry of traditions woven throughout African societies. The Minneapolis Black Employees Network hopes to inspire hope and purpose in both residents and city workers, as they reflect on a year gone by and look forward to the prospects of a new one.
