The Minnesota History Center invites guests to celebrate family, community and culture during Kwanzaa Family Day. This year, the celebration falls on Dec. 29, the fourth day of Kwanzaa and highlights Ujamaa, or "Cooperative Economics," which focuses on building and maintaining African American stores, shops and other businesses. Meet business owners, artists and emerging entrepreneurs and be inspired by their work and their stories.
From Noon to 4 p.m. enjoy family activities and entertainment including:
• Opening ceremony with artist Sha' Cage;
• Musical performances featuring Bruce Henry and Walker West Music Academy Jazz Ensemble;
• Storytelling and African folktales with Danielle Daniel;
• Cooking demonstrations with Living Soul Cuisine head chef, Cynthia Johnson and Rose McGee, owner and chief baker for Deep Roots Gourmet Desserts;
• Art Activity with Shirley Jones, artist/educator/founder of Plymouth Avenue Art Studio;
• KMOJ Radio Financial Fitness show host Nneka Serwaa Morgan who will deliver a power packed perspective for families and teens on money management;
• Theater presentations by History Player Toni Stone, the first female player in the Negro Leagues;
• Cooperative Economics with: The Cookie Cart, Cookies with a Cause, a North Minneapolis job training program;
• Project Sweetie Pie, Planting the Seeds of Change, an urban youth training program in horticulture, entrepreneurship, marking and promotion;
• doll maker, Phyllis Chatham;
• hair weaver/stylist, Mary Reed of Cheveux Salon;
• and a youth art display featuring Seakh Menheer, Khetasar Menheer, and Retekh Menheer.
All events are included with regular museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community. Focusing on family, community and culture, Kwanzaa celebrates the special message of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.
The Minnesota History Center is located at 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. in St. Paul. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays (admission is free on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Auxiliary aids and services are available with advance notice.
For more information, call 651-259-3000 or 1-800-657-3773.about the minnesota historical society The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at events.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.
