Black Kansas Citians celebrate creativity & artistry as Kwanzaa winds down
The sixth day of Kwanzaa celebrates Kuumba, or creativity. It means leaving the community more beautiful and beneficial than when it was inherited. The creativity, along with the six other principles, were on full display as part of the 44th annual Kansas City-wide Kwanzaa celebration Wednesday, Dec. 31, at historic Gem Theater located at the 18th and Vine district.
Wednesday’s event was one of six days ran by the National Black United Front-Kansas City at the theater. Thursday, Jan. 1’s finale starts at 3 p.m. at Nefertiti Restaurant & Banquet, 1314 Quindaro Blvd., in Kansas City, Kansas, where they’ll host a big feast for visitors.
The free event has been running since the beginning of the Afrocentric holiday, bringing hundreds to the Gem Theater every day. This year’s theme is “Triumph in a Time of Crisis,” one that carries significant weight nowadays, according to Candice Haynes.
“It’s one thing to face it, and that is something generationally that we’ve heard and seen that our ancestors have experienced,” she said. “But the biggest piece is not staying in the position where you feel defeated.”
Her husband, Terence Haynes, said that the African American community has triumphed through every time of crisis, dating back 400 years to the time when their ancestors were enslaved. While he said today’s struggles aren’t comparable to what happened in the 1800s, it’s important for everyone to know that they can defeat any problem that stands in their way, no matter how small it is.
The Haynes family were one of many local vendors selling their custom-made items, like Kwanzaa boxes complete with seven candles and a kinara to hold each candle. Their creations are emphasized on the sixth day, highlighting creativity within the community.
Its Afrocentric origins do not mean only Black people can celebrate it — a small but diverse crowd of all backgrounds enjoyed Wednesday’s presentation, which started with a performance of drummers that led observers into the theater for an 90-minute program. Local jazz musicians took the stage next to show off their musical artistry.
Running from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 every year, each day of Kwanzaa highlights a different principle: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
While each day emphasizes one of the principles, Terence Haynes said these are principles everyone should be carrying with them every day, even beyond the Kwanzaa holiday season.
“Kwanzaa is not just a celebration, it’s actually a lifestyle,” he said. “It’s not about a holiday. It’s about how you live every day.”
