Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrates Kwanzaa

Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) invites families and community members to honor the spirit of Kwanzaa at New York City’s most prominent family Kwanzaa celebration in partnership with Brooklyn’s own Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation.

BCM said on Thursday that the 17th Annual Celebration takes place from Thursday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec.  30, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., bringing “the vibrant traditions, powerful principles, and joyous spirit of Kwanzaa to life for all ages.”

“Celebrate Kwanzaa offers a rich blend of daily candle-lighting ceremonies, cultural performances, and hands-on workshops that engage visitors in the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, emphasizing unity, self-determination, collective work, and creativity,“ BCM said.

Atiba T. Edwards, BCM’s Vincentian-born president and chief executive officer, said: “This year, we celebrate the theme ‘Our Children Enlighten the Community,‘ reminding us that Kwanzaa is not only a time to reflect on the values that uplift our community but also a moment to center the voices and talents of our youth.

“As we mark our 17th year as New York City’s largest and longest-running family Kwanzaa celebration, we’ll see our young people embody the principles of Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), and Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) through their creative expressions and leadership,“ he added. 

BCU said each day will offer attendees something unique, including daily candle-lighting rituals led by Chinua Baraka Payne and the dynamic Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, awe-inspiring performances with Kudo NYC and FIYAA (Forces of Nature Incredible Youth Arts Alliance), and immersive dance and drumming workshops.

BCM said families can also explore graffiti-inspired artwork in ColorLab and dive into hands-on experiences that highlight the cultural depth and beauty of Kwanzaa.

The Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission “to enlighten, uplift and immerse the community in all things artful of Africa – in full – in America.”

The Foundation said it is “the controlling entity of a broad range of arts and cultural services that comprise two primary programs, the Asase Yaa School of the Arts and the Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater.”

Under the auspices of the School of the Arts, the Foundation also sponsors an annual Children’s Summer Art Camp. It has a thriving Arts Outreach Educational Program serving public and private schools throughout New York’s five boroughs.

It’s one of the few Black-owned and African cultural arts organizations in Brooklyn, and its principals include Kofi Osei Williams, chief executive director; Rubie Inez Williams, director of operations; and Yao Ababio, founder and artistic director of the African American Dance Theater.

Inspired by the borough’s energy and diversity, BCM said it “creates experiences that ignite curiosity, celebrate identity, and cultivate joyful learning.”

Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, BCM prides itself on being New York City’s most significant cultural institution, designed especially for families.

Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM said it serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures.