Origin of Kuumba Collective
Kuumba Cultural Collective of Southern Colorado (formerly the Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration) was founded by Dr. Anthony P. Young and Tyrone Charles, M.A. in 1989 after their families had celebrated Kwanzaa together in their respective homes for several years. Their familial Kwanzaa celebration was extended to a community-wide celebration in an effort to raise the level of consciousness regarding the rich legacy of the values and culture of people of African descent. Both were members of the Denver-Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists and the Iota Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration organization was subsequently established as a non-profit organization to provided annual citywide Kwanzaa celebrations, educational programs, and activities throughout the year which preserve and promote the history and culture of African People (living in America and throughout the world). effort to raise the level of consciousness regarding the rich legacy of the values and culture of people of African descent. Both were members of the Denver-Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists and the Iota Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration organization was subsequently established as a non-profit organization to provided annual citywide Kwanzaa celebrations, educational programs, and activities throughout the year which preserve and promote the history and culture of African People (living in America and throughout the world). The name of our organization was changed to reflect the evolution and inclusion of the variety of educational and cultural activities that we provide to the community that includes:
Black History Lectures
Pre-Kwanzaa African Marketplace
African Drumming and Dance Festivals
Black History Film and Community Discussions
African American Artists and Writers Exhibitions
Annual Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebrations
First People’s Institute – African History and Cultural Study Groups