Enjoy Kwanzaa With the Library

(Photo/North Portland Library)Multnomah County Library invites the community to join in the festivities of Kwanzaa: a celebration of family, community and culture.

This Saturday, Dec. 16, join the library’s Black Cultural Library Advocates in a pre-celebration at the Soul Restoration Center (14 NE Killingsworth St, Portland). Enjoy a candle-lighting ceremony with music, crafts and storytelling.

“I’ve been shocked and amazed by the dedication that the Black Cultural Library Advocates bring to cultural celebrations to the community," says Israel Fin, Multnomah County Library’s Black Community Services and Engagement Coordinator.

Kwanzaa, meaning "first fruits," is a week-long (December 26 to January 1) celebration of African American culture, heritage and values. Each of the seven days is dedicated to one of the following Kwanzaa principles: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).

"I’m looking forward to gathering in our partner space, the Soul Restoration Center this Saturday to celebrate and acknowledge these principles that bind our community together,” says Fin.

Visit the library and meet members of the library’s BCLA team to find culturally relevant materials. Learn about the history of Kwanzaa at North Portland library and the Kwanzaa fabric painting now at Portland Art Museum. Multnomah County Library offers programs and services for the Black community all-year round. Stay up to date at multcolib.org.