Kwanzaa is neither a religious nor a political holiday, but a celebration of African heritage and traditional African values.
For the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, Diverse and Empowered Employees of Portland will present the second day of the holiday’s seven principles with Kujichagulia or Self-Determination: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
The free and public event will be held Thursday, Dec. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first floor at City Hall.
Friends and family are welcome.
There will be spoken word by Renee Mitchell, drumming by Art Alexander and Caton, and music by DJ Calvin Kyles. The Hope Kitchen will cater; Joyce Harris provides the Libation ceremony, and the Boise-Eliot-Humboldt Krump Crew entertains.
The empowered employees group is a networking and support resource whose mission is to assist the mayor’s office in creating and enhancing a work environment that is inclusive and supportive of the city’s diverse workforce.
For more information about the organization, visit portlandoregon.gov/deep or e-mail deep@portlandoregon.gov.
