45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 26th, Umoja

45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Doors 6pm | Program 6:30PM

WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 45th Annual Celebration with 4 of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate and reaffirm family, community, and culture.

Kwanzaa was a celebration that was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each night will feature Special guest speakers or performers, Ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings, and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).

Each evening will be hosted by MC Selah Black Sol

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.