Kwanzaa Celebration

Come to The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center and watch the film screening of “The Black Candle.” Narrated by world renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker MK Asante, The Black Candle is an extraordinary story about the struggle and triumph of family, community, and culture. The first feature film on Kwanzaa, The Black Candle traces the holiday’s growth out of the Black Power Movement to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over millions of celebrants.

Following the film screening of The Black Candle, Asante will engage the audience by sharing his process and inspiration for making the film and speak about Kwanzaa’s history and significance, its principles and applications to daily life, and where we should go in the future. Hailed by CNN as “a master storyteller and major creative force,” MK Asante is a director, recording artist, distinguished professor, and a best-selling author.