Kwanzaa, a secular festival observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.

A Celebration of Family, Community and the Common Good Implied and embedded in the principle self-determination is the notion of respect which a people have for its culture and historical and current contribution to the world. At the family level, this translates into the art, music, and literature which is possessed or a part of the home. It obligates us as caregivers and mentors in teaching a History (emphasizing at this occasion of the year the African Americans) but to more clearly define that they have made a special and enduring contribution to the world as Americans in the American experience which is worthy of praise and honor. We must recognize that we are all the custodians as well as the heirs of a great civilization. We have given something to the world as a mixed culture and for this, we are proud and fully conscious of our place in the total picture of mankind’s development.”