Cultural Resilience - Kwanzaa 365

Honoring the Past. Healing the Present. Building the Future.

The Kwanzaa Eve Ancestral Party (KEAP) is an initiative of the Rising Sun Development Center dedicated to living the principles of Kwanzaa every day—not just during the holiday season. KEAP is a celebration, a remembrance, and a call to action, centered on “KEAPING” our ancestors alive through cultural continuity, collective healing, and community investment.

This gathering honors those who came before us while creating space for joy, creativity, reflection, and shared responsibility for the future.

KEAP Mission Statement

The mission of the Kwanzaa Eve Ancestral Party (KEAP) is to honor our ancestors by actively living the principles of Kwanzaa through community gathering, cultural expression, healing practices, and collective action. KEAP raises resources to support community resilience and initiatives in need, while creating a space where ancestral wisdom, creativity, and togetherness strengthen our path forward.

Why KEAP Matters

Our ancestors live on through what we preserve, practice, and pass down. KEAP exists to ensure that their legacy is not only remembered—but embodied. In a world that often prioritizes individualism and urgency, KEAP re-centers us in unity, reflection, and purpose.

This event is both celebratory and intentional—blending joy with responsibility, and culture with care.

KEAP Core Values

The Kwanzaa Eve Ancestral Party (KEAP) is guided by the Nguzo Saba—the seven principles of Kwanzaa—which shape how we gather, celebrate, and care for one another. These values help us honor our ancestors not only in remembrance, but through connection, creativity, and shared responsibility.

• Umoja (Unity)
  We come together in the spirit of togetherness—strengthening bonds across families, generations, and community. KEAP is a space where everyone belongs and collective care is centered.
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
  We honor the freedom to define ourselves, tell our stories, and carry our cultural traditions forward with intention and pride.
• Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
  We recognize that our well-being is shared. KEAP invites us to support one another by contributing time, energy, and resources toward community needs and initiatives.
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
  We value mutual support and shared prosperity, uplifting local artists, creatives, and community-centered efforts through intentional participation and giving.
• Nia (Purpose)
  Our gathering is rooted in purpose—honoring our ancestors, nurturing healing, and contributing to a future where our communities can thrive.
• Kuumba (Creativity)
  We celebrate creativity as a source of joy, expression, and connection. Through music, art, movement, and storytelling, we keep ancestral traditions alive.
• Imani (Faith)
  We gather with trust in one another, belief in our collective strength, and faith that what we build together matters.

What to Expect

The Kwanzaa Eve Ancestral Party is an immersive experience that may include:

• Music, dance, and creative performances
• Ancestral acknowledgment and remembrance
• Cultural rituals and reflections inspired by Kwanzaa principles
• Opportunities for connection, dialogue, and collective intention-setting
• Fundraising efforts supporting community needs and Rising Sun initiatives

Community Impact

Proceeds from KEAP directly support:

• Individuals and families in need
• Community-based healing and resilience efforts
• Rising Sun Development Center initiatives and programs

KEAP transforms celebration into action—ensuring that joy and generosity move hand in hand.

Who KEAP Is For

KEAP is for:

• Community members seeking connection and cultural grounding
• Artists, healers, and creatives
• Elders, families, and youth
• Anyone committed to honoring ancestors through action, not just remembrance

All are welcome who come in the spirit of respect, unity, and shared responsibility.

KEAP is more than a party—it is a living tradition. By gathering with intention, honoring our ancestors, and supporting one another, we continue the work they began.

DONATE today t o help us KEAP them alive through what we build together.