Northern Illinois University
Center for Black Studies
Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Since Kwanzaa falls during the NIU winter break, the Center for Black Studies organizes a pre-Kwanzaa celebration in early December while students are still on campus. Through educational and cultural events, the celebration is focused on bringing the NIU community together to learn about African thought and practice. Author and professor Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 to introduce and reaffirm seven basic values of African culture: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Kwanzaa is officially celebrated from December 26 through January 1.

For more information, contact  Gaylen Rivers at grivers1@niu.edu.