New African-American U.S. Postal Stamps Released - New KWANZAA Stamp and A Set of Romare Bearden Stamps

The United States Postal Service has just released some new African-American stamps...

First, the Romare Bearden 4-design collection came out September 28th, 2011. Romare Bearden (1911-1988) was one of the 20th century's most distinguished American artists. His art has been praised for depicting the complexities of African-American experience while addressing universal themes, and is in the permanent collections of major museums across the nation. Though he created works in many media, he is particularly celebrated for his groundbreaking approach to collage. Using various materials, including cut papers, foil, and fabrics, he transformed collage into a forceful means of expression with mainstream appeal. Four collages by Bearden, described in order from left to right below, appear on the Romare Bearden (Forever) stamp sheet.

Second, we have the latest iteration of the KWANZAA stamp for 2011 which was released October 14th. The stamp art, a highly symbolic design, depicts a family celebrating KWANZAA. The prominent colors in the artwork represent the colors of the KWANZAA flag — green for growth, red for blood, and black for the African people. Artist Daniel Minter created the stamp design.

KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26th, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits", KWANZAA is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. KWANZAA seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Though KWANZAA is NOT a religious observance, but a cultural affirmation and celebration, Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice KWANZAA.

Dr. Maulana Karenga Lecture in Brooklyn, NYC Progressive Issues And Programs For The World African Community

Dr. MAULANA KARENGA
Lectures on Moving into a New Year and Decade
with a Transformative Agenda:
Progressive Issues and Programs
For The World African Community

Because of weather conditions in New York City, Dr. Maulana Karenga was unable to present his yearly Kwanzaa lecture will return to Brooklyn on Friday, January 7th to lecture.

His lecture is entitled "Moving into a New Year and Decade with a Transformative Agenda: Progressive Issues and Programs for the World African Community."

Dr. Karenga is Professor of Africana Studies at California State University at Long Beach. He is also chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizatios. He has been an activist scholar since the 60's. The Creator of Kwanzaa, Kawaida Theory and the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles). He is the author of numerous books, some including Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Struggle" and "Introduction to Black Studies." Recently a biographical sketch of his intellectual process was written on him by Temple University Professor Molefi Asante, titled "Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait." Dr. Karenga has earned two Ph.Ds, one in social ethics and the other in political science.

This event will take place at
Restoration Plaza
1368 Fulton Street
(between Marcy and Tompkins Avenues)
Brooklyn, New York 11216
GOOGLE MAPS
6:30PM - 8:30PM

Minimum donation requested is $7.00.
For further information call (718) 789-3264
or email nakoinfogroup[at]yahoo.com

44th Anniversary KWANZAA Celebration With KWANZAA Creator Dr. MAULANA KARENGA Monday, December 27th, 2010 5:30PM - 9:30PM

The New York Chapter of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO) presents a 44th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration with Dr. MAULANA KARENGA this year's message Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba: An Ethics of Sharing Good in the World At Boys & Girls High School, on Monday, Kujichagalia (Self-Determination), December 27, 2010, the creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga will address this year's theme. TIME: 5:30PM - 9:30PM BOYS & GIRLS H.S. located at 1700 Fulton St., in Brooklyn (between) Utica and Schnectady Aves.) 11226. $10.00 Admission $7.00 Seniors & Children Trave: "A" or "C" train to Utica Avenue GOOGLE MAP "...Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense." Dr. Maulana Karenga (quote from the Founder's 2010 Welcome statement) Cultural entertainment will be provided by the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble as well as vocalist Camille Yarbrough and Zahmu/Threee

The New York Chapter of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO) presents a 44th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration with Dr. MAULANA KARENGA this year's message Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba: An Ethics of Sharing Good in the World At Boys & Girls High School, on Monday, Kujichagalia (Self-Determination), December 27, 2010, the creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga will address this year's theme. TIME: 5:30PM - 9:30PM BOYS & GIRLS H.S. located at 1700 Fulton St., in Brooklyn (between) Utica and Schnectady Aves.) 11226. $10.00 Admission $7.00 Seniors & Children "...Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense." Dr. Maulana Karenga (quote from the Founder's 2010 Welcome statement) Cultural entertainment will be provided by the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble as well as vocalist Camille Yarbrough and Zahmu/Three KWANZAA A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture Dr. Karenga is Professor of Africana Studies at California State University, at Long Beach. He is also chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He has been an activist scholar since the 60s especially in such educational and social movements as Black Studies, Black Power, Black Arts, independent schools, Afrocentricity, ancient Egyptian Studies, Ifa ethical studies, the Million Person Marches and Reparations. He is the author of numerous books, some including Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture; Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle,and; Introduction to Black Studies as well as numerous articles. He has earned two Ph.D.s, one in social ethics (University of Southern California, and the other in political science (U.S.International University).

AmASSI-NY and BMX-NY PresentsKWANZAA: A 7th Annual CelebrationSunday, December 27th, 2009 @ 5:00PMHarlem, New York City, USA!!

HEALTH. CULTURE. AFFIRMATION.

An Africentric Communal and Cultural Affirmation
For Family and Friends

Co-Present

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KWANZAA

A 7th Annual Celebration

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

5:00PM

730 Riverside Drive
(Entrance on 150th Street)
Suite 9E
Harlem, New York 10031

GOOGLE MAP

DIRECTIONS: #1 train to 145th Street or M4 / M5 Bus to 149th Street
CONTACT INFO --> Ph: 212/283-0219 / E-mail: BlackMensXchangeNY[at]gmail.com
WEBSITES: www.AmASSI.com — www.BMXNY.org

What is KWANZAA?

KWANZAA is a unique African Diasporic celebration with a focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. KWANZAA is neither political, nor religious, and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming people of the African Diaspora, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga.

Kwanzaa consists of seven Kwanzaa Principles (Nguzo Saba) and should be put into practice every day, and not just celebrated for 7 days and then forgotten about:

The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)

Day 1 (December 26th)
Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity


Day 2 (December 27th)
Kujichagulia (koo-gee-chaH-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination


Day 3 (December 28th)
Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective Work and Responsibility


Day 4 (December 29th)
Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah-AH): Cooperative Economics


Day 5 (December 30th)
Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose


Day 6 (December 31st)
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity


Day 7 (January 1st)
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith


The Official KWANZAA Website

About BMX-NY...

Founded as an instrument of healing and empowerment, the Black Men’s Xchange-New York (BMX-NY) offers advocacy and affirmation. We celebrate the uniqueness and power of same-gender-loving (homosexual, bisexual and transgendered) African descended men; employing critical thinking, diversity and cultural affirmation while encouraging self-determination through self-identification.

Log on at www.BMXNY.org



About AmASSI...

AmASSI is a non-profit, community based health, wellness and cultural affirmation center. AmASSI is an acronym for the African American Advocacy, Support-Services & Survival Institute. We provide preventive health for HIV/AIDS, STDs, cancer, diabetes, etc., psychological and therapeutic assistance and math and literacy tutoring, skills building opportunities and empowerment. At the AmASSI Center, community members are culturally respected and affirmed, and all services are free and low cost.

AmASSI is an award winning organization that, since 1993, has provided healing to over 10,000 primarily African American and Latino men, women, and children in the South Central Los Angeles neighborhoods of Inglewood, West Adams, Crenshaw, Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park, and Adams-La Brea. Although AmASSI’s programs have a cultural emphasis on African Americans, and a substantial number of Spanish speaking staff, people of other ancestries (e.g., Asian, Native-American and European) often seek AmASSI’s services and are warmly embraced.

Log on at www.AmASSI.com