45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 26th, Umoja
45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Doors 6pm | Program 6:30PM
WorldBeat Cultural Center invites the community to celebrate its 45th Annual Kwanzaa, honoring four of the seven days of this African American cultural holiday rooted in African traditions. Observed from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa centers on the Nguzo Saba—the Seven Principles: Umoja-Unity, Kujichagulia- Self-Determination, Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility, Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics, Nia – Purpose, Kuumba – Creativity, and Imani – Faith.
Each evening features ceremonial candle lighting, libations, African drumming, poetry, music, and reflections from featured speakers and performers aligned with the night’s principle. Guests will also share in the Karamu, the traditional Kwanzaa feast plate, featuring black-eyed peas, collard greens, gumbo, potato salad, and corn muffins. This year’s celebration also launches the inaugural Kwanzaa Awards, honoring individuals whose work embodies the values of the Nguzo Saba. All events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Advance RSVP encouraged.
Each evening will be hosted by MC Selah Black Sol and Sidiqa Hooker
Day 1: Friday, December 26th – Umoja, Unity
Guest Speakers and Performances
Starla Lewis
Starla Lewis is a Professor Emerita of Black Studies at San Diego Mesa College, a renowned cultural leader, and the founder of C.E.L.L. (Celebration of Everlasting Life & Love). With more than forty years dedicated to education, diversity work, and women’s empowerment, she has inspired generations through her lectures, writings, and transformative coaching. A seven-time Teacher of the Year and inductee of the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame, Lewis continues to champion unity and self-love through her teaching, books, and community leadership.
Dr. Derah (Dalene Brown)
Dr. Derah is a pioneering holistic health practitioner with over five decades of experience in natural healing, specializing in iridology, herbalism, and alternative wellness. As the founder of Total Health Products and At Your Service Health & Beauty Center, she has developed widely distributed herbal formulas and taught countless workshops on aligning physical health with spiritual purpose. Her life’s work centers on empowering people to reclaim vitality and balance through natural, ancestral healing practices.
Performance by Mariea Antoinette
Mariea Antoinette is an internationally acclaimed urban-jazz harpist known for blending classical technique with soulful contemporary sound. Her captivating performances bring elegance, rhythm, and a modern flair to the traditional harp, enchanting audiences worldwide.
This year also marks the inauguration of the Annual Kwanzaa Awards, honoring individuals whose work reflects the values of the Nguzo Saba, including Chuck Ambers, founder of the African Museum Casa del Rey Moro, Maria Lane, San Diego’s First Samba Instructor, Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, WorldBeat Center’s Poet Laurette. Dennis Newsome, Capoeira Angola Mestre, Global Teacher of Self-Love Starla Lewis, and Prince Habib, President of African-American Writers & Artists.
