Kwanzaa, 2022

After two years of COVID & virtual celebrations, this year’s Kwanzaa will be in person celebrations! The Village Project and our community partners will present our 17th annual Kwanzaa celebrations at various venues throughout San Francisco and Oakland, with seven days of community events, starting on Dec. 26th through January 1st. Striving to unite and strengthen our family, community and nation, we will celebrate each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa (the Nguzo Saba). There will be 16 free events in 9 different neighborhoods of San Francisco. On December28th, our celebration will be held in the city of Oakland at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, where Niecey will entertain with her soulful voice. Each hosting organization will present exciting and enriching cultural programs, intended to both entertain and engage the entire family. A spiritual ceremony – pouring of libations and honoring of ancestors- will start each program and will be followed by a feast, live entertainment and the lighting of one of the seven candles of the Kinara. This year’s celebration will again start at City Hall on Dec. 26th at 12 Noon, with Umoja (Unity) and end at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church on Jan. 1st at 6 pm with the lighting of the final candle, Imani (faith).

This year’s entertainment line-up includes a myriad of rhythm & blues and jazz performers, featuring Tia Carroll, Lady Bianca, Michael Skinner& Band, Terrie Odabi, and the John Coltrane Church Band, just to name a few. There will also be spoken word artists and drumming, all followed by a feast of savory delights. Vendors, along with art, drumming and dance workshops will be available for both adults and children.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY

Kwanzaa, 2022 Schedule:

Nguzo Saba: The Seven Principles (Dec. 26th, 2022 – Jan 1st, 2023)

UMOJA (unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. Monday, Dec. 26th: 12 Noon – City Hall, 1 Dr. Goodlett Way; 2 pm – SF Public Library, 1000 Larkin Street; 7 pm The Origins Boutique Night Club, 1538 Fillmore; Performance by Tia Carroll

KUJICHAGULIA (self-determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves Tuesday, Dec. 27th: 2 pm – Booker T. Washington Center, 800 Presidio; 7 pm – Jones Methodist Church, 1975 Post; Performance by Michael Skinner & band

UJIMA (collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and solve them together. Wednesday, Dec. 28th: 1 pm – MOAD, 685 Mission, performance by Destiny Mohammed; 6 pm -Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, 410 14th Street, Oakland; performance by Niecey, Living Single & Band

UJAMAA (cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together. Thursday, Dec 29th: 2 pm – YMCA & Rafiki Wellness Coalition. Bayview Y, 1601 Lane; 7 pm – Minnie & Lovie Rec Center, 650 Capitol Ave; performance, Yolandra Rhodes & Band

NIA (purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Friday, Dec. 30th: 1 pm – Potrero Hill Rec Center, 801 Arkansas Street; 6 pm – Momagic/AAACC, 762 Fulton; performance by Lady Bianca

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. Saturday, Dec. 31st: 2 pm – St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church, 2565 Post; 6 pm – St. John Coltrane Church, Magic Theater 2 Marina Blvd; performance by The John Coltrane Band

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. Sunday, Jan. 1st: 10 am – Bethel AME Church, 916 Laguna; 2 pm Third Baptist, 1399 Pierce; 6 pm – St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk @ Lyons; performance by Terrie Odabi

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The Village Project

Organizer of Kwanzaa: The Village Project Presents 17th Annual San Francisco Celebration

Adrian Williams is the founder of The Village Project, a youth service organization focusing on education and cultural enrichment for youth and their families in the Western Addition. The Village Project also produces Grilling in the ‘MO; A Senior Moment & 7 days of Kwanzaa at 13 different ventures this year.

The Village Project began in June 2006 as an after school academic program, with an all volunteer run. The DCYF sponsored a free summer lunch program. After identifying further needs of the community, the program has evolved to include an after school academic program. The project provides public and co-operative housing residents with positive activities and events for the “Village Kids” and their families. Organizing has focused on community safety issues with family oriented activities.

The project’s activities have been recognized by:
Public Housing Residents, MONS, MOCJ, SFPD, DCYF, S.F. Post, S.F. Examiner, S.F. Chronicle, Western Edition, Sentinel, WAFRC, State Assembly, State Senate, CBO’s and Harlem West Magazine

The project has received awards from:
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors
The San Francisco Police Department
The Mayors Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS)
The Department of Children Youth & Families (DCYF)
State Assemblyman Mark Leno
State Senator Carol Migden
SF Public Library

Adrian Williams, the Project’s Founder and Director has received awards including:

An “Unsung Hero” award from the
San Francisco Public Library.
Proclamations from Mayor Gavin Newsom
That October 5th, 2006 was “Adrian Williams Day” in San Francisco
That December 26th will be declared the first day of Kwanzaa
That March 9th, 2008 be declared
Mardi Gras San Francisco Style