Happy Kwanzaa! Celebrate the First Day with Us!
As we come together to celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa, Umoja (Unity), I want to take a moment to reflect on the joy, love, and togetherness that defined our 2024 Kwanzaa Celebration on December 14. The event was a testament to the power of community and culture, and it would not have been possible without each and every one of you who contributed to its success.
To our vendors, thank you for filling the space with creativity, passion, and products that reflect the richness of our culture and heritage. Your displays brought life and vibrancy to the event, and I know many of our attendees appreciated the opportunity to support your work.
To our volunteers, words cannot express how grateful I am for your hard work, dedication, and selflessness. From setting up to managing the event flow and ensuring everything ran smoothly, you were the backbone of this celebration. The long hours and effort you put in did not go unnoticed, and I am deeply appreciative of your commitment.
To our guests, thank you for showing up with open hearts and warm spirits. Your energy and participation truly embodied the principle of Umoja that we celebrate today. Seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and witnessing the connections being made reminded me why we do this every year.
Now, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: the official video of the Kwanzaa Celebration is ready to watch! It has been an absolute joy editing and reliving the incredible moments we shared on December 14. The video captures the essence of the celebration—every heartfelt performance, every inspiring speech, every moment of connection. Whether you attended the event in person or missed it, this video is an opportunity to experience the magic all over again or for the first time.
Video URL: https://vimeo.com/1041891194?share=copy
As we continue the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, I encourage you to reflect on the importance of Umoja in your life. Umoja is about fostering unity within our families, communities, and beyond. It’s about working together, supporting one another, and finding strength in togetherness. The success of our Kwanzaa Celebration is a perfect example of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose.
I also want to take a moment to ask for your feedback. If you didn’t get a chance to fill out a comment card during the event, we’d greatly appreciate it if you could complete our PDDBM Fashion Show Feedback Form https://www.pddbm.org/event-feedback-forms. Your thoughts and suggestions are invaluable as we plan future events and work to make them even more impactful. Whether it’s a favorite moment, something you think we could improve, or new ideas for the next celebration, we want to hear from you!
This year’s Kwanzaa Celebration was more than an event; it was a moment to pause and honor our heritage, our community, and our shared journey. Thank you for being part of this beautiful experience. Your presence and support mean the world to me and to everyone involved in making this celebration a reality.
Let’s carry the spirit of Umoja with us throughout the week and into the new year. Together, we can continue to uplift, empower, and inspire one another. Thank you for celebrating with us, and I look forward to seeing you at future events.
Wishing you all a joyous, meaningful, and blessed Kwanzaa!
With gratitude and unity,
ASHE,
Ruby N Lewis