Several locations are celebrating seasonal events this month, some revolving around Kwanzaa, a Pan-African cultural holiday created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. The Holiday is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 and is a celebration of family, community and culture.
The AC Bilbrew Library, 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., will be hosing a number of free events. A Pre-Kwanzaa Workshop and Celebration will feature interactive presentations, art and musical activities from 2 – 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.
On Saturday, Dec. 14 Greg Edwards Redline Art show will be featured from 2 – 4 p.m. Redlining is the intentional and systematic racial housing segregation that began in the 1930s.
Edwards, an actor, comedian and artist will exhibit his art depicting images of famous Blacks who lived in redlined or racially segregated cities across the nation. The art embraces the “Undesign The Redline” interactive exhibit on display at the library until Dec. 31. Edwards will make some of his art available for purchase.
A Kwanzaa Marketplace and Bazaar will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28. The event celebrates the Ujamaa/Cooperative Economics, and will feature vendors, exhibitors, cultural foods, music, art activities, book sales and more. Friends are invited to network with entrepreneurs and exhibitors who will provide a wide range of products and services from South LA communities and beyond.
Visitors can also shop for cultural foods and purchase new and gently used books at the event. The marketplace is co-sponsored by the LA South Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of AC Bilbrew and Woodcrest Libraries.
At another venue, the Compton Library, located at 240 W. Compton Blvd., a Pre-Kwanzaa Workshop and Celebration will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. Visitors can learn how to celebrate Kwanzaa from the teachers of the Limbiko Tembo School of African American Culture (Us). Interactive presentations, art and musical activities will be sponsored by the African American Resource Center.
