The Bay Area came out in full force in 2011 to celebrate Kwanzaa, the Pan-African and African American holiday designed to promote family, community and positive Black culture. (See Photos)
Before Kwanzaa "officially" started, there were celebrations at both Laney College and UC Berkeley.
The second night of Kwanzaa saw two events in downtown Oakland; a Kwanzaa dinner hosted by a Bay Area artists collective, and a presentation by spoken word artist Ise Lyfe.
On December 30, the Pan African People's Organization hosted "Nia" at the Afrikan Children's Advanced Learning Center. The celebration, hosted by the organization for decades, featured drumming and a history of Kwanzaa.
On Tuesday, December 27, Ise Lyfe's company, Lyfe Productives, hosted a Kwanzaa celebration and year in review in downtown Oakland. The program was hosted by Nikki Thomas, began with libations by Jason Seals, African Professor at Merritt College.
The main feature of the program was Ise showcasing his organization's work over the past few years, and what is in store for 2012.
On December 27, the second night of Kwanzaa was hosted by the "Homies" in the lobby of the Empyrean Towers in downtown Oakland. After starting with a dinner, the program featured libations, a circle about the meaning of "self-determination" (the translation of Kujichagulia) and music.
Oakland artist Mercedes Martin was chief organizer and facilitator of evening.
A Kwanzaa celebration held at UC Berkeley on December 7 in the Martin Luther King Student Union in the Multicultural Center. The program was attended by over 100 students and community members.
The Kwanzaa program was organized by the African American Themed program, Sankofa S.O.U.L. The event featured dancers, poetry, drumming and song, with much of it performed by talented Cal students.
The East Bay Bay Church of Religious Science hosted the fifth night of Kwanzaa in Oakland on December 29. Nia, kiswahili for "purpose," was the program theme. The event featured music, drumming, dance and storytelling.
The program began with drumming led by Tacuma King and Val. Children danced along and joined in on the drums.
This was followed by a Kwanzaa song performed with youth from EBCRS.
Senior Minister Eloise led a prayer to bless the proceedings.
Children also performed a number of dance routines.
The crowd as East Bay was packed, as usual.
A poet performed poetry about strengthening the Black Family.
A youth dance group also performed.
After the performances, families came up together to light candles.
A candle was lit for each principle and night of Kwanzaa.
The program ended with a story from Baba Kwame Ntoto.
And a dance performance by Lady Sunrise and her daughter.
Wo'se Community of Amen-Ra hosted the first night of Kwanzaa, themed "Umoja" (unity) on December 26 at the Holy Redeemer Center in Oakland. The event featured dancers, singers, poets, and more.
Leon Sykes, host of Streets is Talking Radio, hosted Wo'se's Kwanzaa event.
The drum procession kicked off Kwanzaa.
James Weldon Johnson's Negro National Anthem of "Lift E'ry Voice and Sing" was led by this sistah.
Baba Jahi led the libations.
Spoken word youth group, "Young Gifted & Black" rocked the mic.
Children from Wo'se's school, Ile Omode, showcased a dance performance.
The program ended with a Harambee chant.
The Umoja altar at the Holy Redeemer Center for the first night of Kwanzaa in Oakland.
Photos by Reginald James. Wo'se also hosted the first night of Kwanzaa in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Laney College Pre-Kwanzaa UC Berkeley Pre-Kwanzaa, hosted by African American Development Office Oakland Kwanzaa, hosted by Wo'se Church of Amen-Ra Kujichagulia, Homies Kwanzaa Dinner Kujichagulia, hosted by Lyfe Productives Nia, hosted by East Bay Church of Religious Science Nia, hosted by Pan African People's Organization
The Laney College Black Student Union (Laney BSU) hosted a Kwanzaa celebration with the campus dance department on December 1. The event featured dance, music and singing by students.
The purpose of this page is to provide Bay Area residents information about Kwanzaa events. The information on this page is courtesy of the Bay Area Kwanzaa Committee and The Village Project and other Kwanzaa event organizers.
The Bay Area came out in full force in 2011 to celebrate Kwanzaa, the Pan-African and African American holiday designed to promote family, community and positive Black culture. (See 
