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The Equal Opportunity Programs Office and the African American Program have received inquiries from employees of all ethnicities on the background and principles of the Kwanzaa celebrations from December 26 to January 1st.

With the observations and participation in Kwanzaa activities increasing, some information is necessary to improve general understanding and appreciation of its principles and fundaments.

The founder of Kwanzaa is Dr. Maulana (Ron) Karenga, former chairperson of the Department of Black Studies at California State University at Long Beach. Though a controversial figure himself, Dr. Karenga's efforts and advocacy since the 1970's have been crucial to Kwanzaa's recognition and broader acceptance.

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday, first celebrated in 1966, that celebrates the rich African heritage and culture. It is observed from Dec. 26th to Jan. 1st. Kwanzaa is based on Seven Principles called The Nguzo Sgaba which benefits the family, the community and mankind.

Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, and nation.

Kujichagulia (Self-determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for, and spoken for by others.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our sisters' and brothers' problems our problems, and to solve them together.

Ujamma (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own shops, stores, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.