The St. Joseph's Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF)

The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF) founded in 1975, is an African American cultural and educational institution deeply rooted in the historic Hayti community of Durham, North Carolina. SJHF is dedicated to advancing cultural understanding through diverse programs that examine the experiences of Americans of African descent – locally, nationally and globally. The Foundation is committed to preserving, restoring and developing the Hayti Heritage Center, the former St. Joseph’s AME Church, a National Historic Landmark, as a cultural and economic anchor to the greater Durham community.

St. Joseph's Historic Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

The events in this section are directly sponsored by the Hayti Heritage Center or the St. Joseph's Historic Foundation


Kwanzaa Celebration

The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. presents Kwanzaa on December 26 – 27, 2012.

Wednesday, Dec. 26 - UMOJA- Unity
Collage Dance Company

Thursday, Dec. 27 - KUJICHAGULIA- Self Determination

Other Principles of Kwanzaa include:
UJIMA- Collective Work & Responsibility
UJAMAA- Cooperative Economics
NIA- Purpose
KUUMBA- Creativity
IMANI- Faith

Doors open at 6 pm; Show starts at 7 pm
All events are free and open to the public.
All events are hosted by Zayd Malik.

Line up

Zayd Malik Shakur –Griot (host) for the evening will explain the history, cultural influence & significance, symbols, ceremonies, and principles of Kwanzaa. Duration: 25-30min.

Shareef Hameed – Substance Abuse Councilor, activist, mentor, and public speaker will present “We Are One” a Power Point presentation about the African origins of our global family. This powerful presentation embodies the 1st principle of Kwanzaa Umoja (unity). This presentation is for all ages and should not be missed. Duration: 30min.

Please bring nonperishable food items for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.  Food Collected will go to the local Durham Branch.

What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1st. It is based on the agricultural celebration of Africa called “the first fruits” celebrations, which celebrate the times of harvest, gathering, reverence, commemoration of the past, recommitment to cultural ideals and celebration of the good.

Kwanzaa was created out of the philosophy of Kawaida, which is a cultural nationalist philosophy that argues that the key challenge in black peoples’ lives is the challenge of culture, and that what Africans must do is to discover and bring forth the best of their culture, both ancient and current, and use it as a foundation to bring into being models of human excellence and possibilities to enrich and expand our lives.

It was created in the midst of our struggles of liberation in the 1960′s and was part of our organization US” efforts to create, recreate and circulate African culture as an aid to building community, enriching black consciousness, and reaffirming the value of culture grounding for life and struggle.

Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions of people of African descent through out the world African community. As a cultural holiday, Africans practice it from all religions, traditions, all classes, all ages and generations, and all political persuasions on the common ground of their African ness in all its historical and cultural diversity and unity.