Penn Museum to Celebrate Kwanzaa with Music, Dance, and Community Activities

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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
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Penn Museum at the University of Pennsylvania.

AIRED; December 22. 2025

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The Penn Museum is bringing African-American and Pan-African culture to life with its third annual Kwanzaa celebration. Dr. Tia Jackson-Truitt, Director of Staff & Community Engagement, explained that the event highlights living culture alongside the museum’s vast historical collections. “Our mission really is to explore our shared humanity,” she said. “We really wanna make archaeology and anthropology accessible to everyone.”

Founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa emphasizes family, community, and culture, guided by seven principles known as Nguzo Saba. “Umoja stands for unity,” Dr. Jackson-Truitt explained. “Everyone is welcome into our doors to learn more… The sense of unity that we’re trying to curate across our building that day is really my favorite part.”

The celebration will feature live music, dance, educational workshops, and a vendor marketplace highlighting local Black-owned businesses. “Each year we thoughtfully think about locally owned vendors, small businesses… We make no barrier to entry, so mostly people who want to do business with us or vend are welcome to do so,” she said.

Attendees can also enjoy hands-on activities, including henna, face painting, and games, along with cultural movement workshops and performances by Karen Smith Drums and the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble. Dr. Jackson-Truitt emphasized, “We’re really trying to be mindful of how the principles show up and how we bring them to life.” The free Kwanzaa celebration will be held Sunday, December 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Penn Museum.