Here are a few updates from the Maryland Pan Afrikan Cooperative Coalition (MPACC) as we prepare to gather with our families and friends for the holiday season and gear up for Kwanzaa Week:

1. On Saturday, December 14, the Senior Advocacy Network held a Struggle Week Drop-Off at the New Shiloh Senior Center parking lot, Elgin Avenue and Monroe Streets from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  The event was designed to assist seniors in the Baltimore area, who the Senior Advocacy Network seeks to assist and fight for, by collecting personal items (toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, deodorant, etc.) and household items (dish detergent, laundry detergent, dryer sheets and such) to be distributed to senior citizens as part of an ongoing effort to help provide needed assistance to senior citizens in Baltimore.  Several local activists already do great work on behalf of our seniors, and the hope is that the work of these heroes and sheroes can be coordinated in a larger, city-wide effort.  More Struggle Week Drop-Off events will be held starting in February 2025.  When these Drop-Off events are scheduled, we will make sure to get the word out.
2. Kwanzaa is almost here.  Pre-Kwanzaa events have already started, with more to follow, and there will be Kwanzaa Week activities across Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.  On Tuesday, December 17, the Keur Khaleyi African Dance Company performed at a Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration at the Coppin Academy High School Cafeteria, 2500 West North Avenue in Baltimore.  If you want to learn more about the Coppin Academy and support their efforts, you can contact Dr. Hammond at DKHammond@bcps.k12.md.us.
3. There will be several more events in Maryland to observe and celebrate Kwanzaa Week.  Here are just a few:

Grandmother Edna’s Pre-Kwanzaa Event at the Waxter Center, Wednesday, December 18

Grandmother Edna, our own venerated Griot and advocate for Baltimore’s seniors and youth, will hold a Pre-Kwanzaa event at the Waxter Center, 1000 Cathedral Street in Baltimore, on Wednesday, December 18 from 12 Noon – 3 PM.  She will feature drumming, a tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers, the Storytelling Griot Circle of Maryland and Special Guests Mama Cynthia Watkins & her Cultural Recovery Project, legendary dance choreographer Baba Branch Morgan and a Harriet Tubman Tribute by Mama Vee.  For more information, contact Grandmother Edna at (443) 683-4606, (410) 396-1324 or grandmotherpilgrimage@yahoo.com.

Kwanzaa Week at the Temple of New African Thought: Thursday, December 26 – Wednesday, January 1

During Kwanzaa, the Temple of New African Thought at 5525 Harford Road in East Baltimore will hold a week-long celebration.  TNAT’s flyer for the week includes the entire week of Kwanzaa programs:

1. • • Brothers Helping Brothers will bring in the Kwanzaa celebration on Thursday, December 26 at TNAT as they observe the Day of Umoja (Unity) from 6 PM – 9 PM.
     • Montu Abra and K Love the Poet commemorate Kujuchagulia (Self-Determination) at TNAT on Friday, December 27 from 6 PM – 9 PM.
     • The Maryland Pan Afrikan Cooperative Coalition (MPACC) will host the Saturday, December 28 afternoon observance of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) from 12:00 noon to about 4:00 PM.  We will feature presentations from several activists who have come together in MPACC to mutually support and coordinate our efforts on behalf of the community, along with Special Guest Baba Charlie Dugger of Camp Harambee The People.  The whole idea of MPACC is collective work, supporting each other and developing a cooperative strategy to move our people forward by advancing the work of all of our activists and organizers together.  For more information on this Day of Ujima event, you can contact Bro. Cliff at cliff@kuumbareport.com.
     • Right after the MPACC event, you can continue the Day of Ujima observance on Saturday, December 28 right there at TNAT with more Kwanzaa presentations and socializing from 6 PM – 9 PM, sponsored by the Temple of New African Thought and Diasporan Soul Jamaican & American Fusion.
     • On Sunday, December 29, the Black Co-Op Study Circle will host TNAT’s observance of Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.  The event will feature a reading from Collective Courage, a History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice by Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard.  Scan the QR code on the attached flyer or go to https://bit.ly/black-coop-study for more information or to sign up for the event.
     • A private event will celebrate the Day of Nia (Purpose) on Monday, December 30 from 6 PM – 9 PM.
     • CUCGCO will commemorate the Day of Kuumba (Creativity) on Tuesday, December 31 from 6 PM – 9 PM.
     • The Temple of New African Thought (TNAT) and Diasporan Soul will host the final day of Kwanzaa, the Day of Imani (Faith), on Wednesday, January 1 at TNAT from 6 PM – 9 PM.

Roots of Scouting Celebrates Kwanzaa, Thursday, December 26

The Roots of Scouting will celebrate “a cultural celebration of the spirit of Umoja (Unity)” on the First Day of Kwanzaa, Thursday, December 26 at the Weinberg Y in Waverly, 900 E. 33rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, from 6 PM – 8:30 PM.  There will be a candle lighting ceremony, Afrikan drum and dance, Afrikan storytelling, children’s activities and a Karamu (Unity Dinner).  I’ve attached the flyer for this event as well.  Contact Baba Olamina Stevenson by email at olamina.stevenson@gmail.com or by phone at (443) 527-5527 for more information.

Tendea Family Kwanzaa Celebration and Black Book Giveaway, Thursday, December 26

The Tendea Family will hold their 4th annual Kwanzaa Celebration and Black Book Giveaway on Thursday, December 26 at 5 PM at 847 N. Howard Street, Baltimore, MD.  The event will feature Black Children’s Books, Giveaways, Games, Artists, Speakers, Music and More.  The flyer is attached to this email. 

Baba Charlie Dugger and the Sankofa Children’s Museum Celebrate Ujima, Saturday, December 28

If you are in the Pimlico area of Baltimore on Saturday, December 28, you can go to Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures at 4330 Pimlico Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, for more of Baba Charlie Dugger, as he presents a Kwanzaa program there from 4 PM – 7 PM (flyer attached).

Tight Knit Family Celebrates Kwanzaa Week at the House of Chiefs, December 26 – January 1

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The House of Chiefs, 4603 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212, will host Kwanzaa Week every day (Thursday December 26 – Wednesday January 1) from 1 PM – 5 PM.  Music, food, art and shopping are planned.  The flyer is attached to this email.  If you’re interested in becoming a vendor, call Katelyn at (410) 499-5801 or Ertha Harris at (443) 655-7198.

More Kwanzaa Info to Come!

Without a doubt, there will be more Kwanzaa events announced over the next several days.  Many of you have heard of events that I don’t know about.  And still other events are being planned but have not yet been announced.  When I find out about other Pre-Kwanzaa and Kwanzaa events happening this month, I’ll put together another email and send it out.  I’ll also update my Web site KUUMBAReport Online, https://kuumbareport.com, with announcements of the area’s Kwanzaa and Pre-Kwanzaa events as I receive them.

I hope you all have a positive, reflective and enjoyable Kwanzaa season and we look forward to advancing our work as we go into 2025.