By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
The Padua Center held its annual Kwanzaa celebration on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 1416 Nebraska Ave. The cultural festival was open to the community and featured an interactive presentation of Kwanzaa with food and fellowship for all.
Brother Washington Muhammad presented the Nguzo Saba (seven principles) to African drums. The Ngoza Saba includes: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) , Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration, is composed of a Libation Ceremony in honor of ancestors, the lighting of the Kinara, education, family activities and food to share.
Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. (source https://nmaahc.si.edu) Kwanzaa lasts for seven days, the day after Christmas until the first of the new year (Dec 26- Jan 1). The colors of Kwanzaa are black (representing the people), red (representing struggle and bloodshed) and green (representing the fertile land of Africa).
About the Padua Center
The Padua Center is located at 1416 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, Ohio. The Kwanzaa Park Neighborhood is bordered by Dorr, Brown, Klondike and Hawley Streets. Members of the Kwanzaa Park Neighbors meet monthly at The Padua Center to investigate ways to work together (Ujima) and improve the neighborhood. The next community meeting is February 6, 2025 at 12:00 p.m at The Padua Center. (During February and March the Kwanzaa Park Neighbors’ meeting is held at 12:00 because of the darkness. Other months the meetings are on the First Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm.)
To learn more about the Padua Center or to volunteer contact 419-241-6465 or visit paduacenter.org.
