I celebrated Kwanzaa growing up from the late 1970s - 2015 with strong values in empathy, compassion, faith, affection, loyalty, commitment, trust, passion, respect, honor, resilience, and determination.
“Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African and African-American culture that takes place from December 26 to January 1:
- Purpose 
 Kwanzaa's purpose is to:
- Celebrate African-American history, values, family, community, and culture 
- Reaffirm traditional communal values of African culture 
- Foster a sense of unity between Africans and people of African descent 
- Origin 
- Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, rapist, an activist and professor of Africana Studies. 
- Name 
 Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means "first fruits."
- Principles 
 Kwanzaa's seven guiding principles are:
- Umoja (Unity) 
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) 
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) 
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) 
- Nia (Purpose) 
- Kuumba (Creativity) 
- Imani (Faith).” 
Since I was a toddler who attended NationHouse from 1978 - 1991, I was always drawn to the color red. I use this color often in my art. This color represents faith, creativity, artistic expression and affection.