Maulana Karenga, born Ronald McKinley Everett on July 14, 1941, in Parsonsburg, Maryland, is a prominent American activist, scholar, and author. He is widely recognized as the creator of Kwanzaa, the seven-day African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Karenga was born to Levi Everett, a Baptist minister, and Addie Everett, and he is the youngest of 14 children. Raised on a tenant farm in Parsonsburg, Maryland, Karenga and his family members worked in exchange for housing and a portion of the produce they harvested. He attended Salisbury High School, an all-Black school, and later transferred to William Penn High School in York, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1958. Subsequently, he moved to Los Angeles to live with his elder brother, Chestyn.
Karenga began his higher education at Los Angeles City College, where he developed an interest in campus politics. In 1961, he made history by becoming the first African American elected to serve as the college’s student body president. He then pursued his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a B.A. in political science in 1963 and an M.A. in political science with a specialization in African studies in 1964. During his time at UCLA, Karenga met Black Power advocate Malcolm X, which inspired him to turn his attention toward social activism. He actively participated in civil rights marches and assemblies and studied activist literature while working on a doctorate at UCLA. Following the Watts Riots in August 1965, he left his doctoral program to join the Black Power movement.
In 1965, Karenga co-founded an organization called US (now known as Organization Us), intending to encourage cultural and social change and promote Black unity. He developed a doctrine for the organization called Kawaida, which included a value system known as Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles) based on his knowledge of African culture and the Swahili language. It was in 1966 that Karenga created Kwanzaa to introduce his seven principles on a national level and to bring African Americans together to celebrate their heritage and community.
Kwanzaa has since grown in popularity as a nonreligious holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1. The holiday features daily ceremonies with the seven-candle kinara, decorations, food, drumming, and dancing. Kwanzaa is observed not only in the U.S. but also in countries worldwide where there are large numbers of descendants of Africans. While working within the Black Power movement, Karenga and the US encountered conflicts with other groups within the movement, such as the Black Panther Party. Additionally, they came to the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which manipulated Black Power groups as part of its counterintelligence program COINTELPRO.
In 1971, Karenga was convicted of assault and false imprisonment after being charged with having tortured two female members of the US. He denied the charges, claiming they were politically motivated and part of the FBI’s COINTELPRO efforts. He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for the crimes but was released on parole in 1975. After his release, Karenga resumed his doctoral studies at the United States International University in San Diego and earned a Ph.D. in political science in 1976. He later earned another Ph.D. in social ethics from the University of Southern California with an emphasis on classical African ethics of ancient Egypt.
Since the 1960s, Karenga has taught various African or Afro-American studies courses at many colleges and universities. In 1989, he became a professor and the department chair of the Black (later Africana) Studies Department at California State University, Long Beach. Additionally, he serves as the national chair of Organization Us, national chair of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations, and executive director of the African American Cultural Center.
Karenga is also an accomplished author, having written numerous scholarly articles and books on topics related to African culture and heritage. His works include “Introduction to Black Studies” (1982), “Reconstructing Kemetic Culture: Papers, Perspectives, Projects” (1990), “The Book of Coming Forth by Day: The Ethics of the Declarations of Innocence” (1990), “Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle: African American, Pan-African, and Global Issues” (2008), and “The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture” (1988).
Maulana Karenga’s contributions to African American and Pan-African culture are significant. His creation of Kwanzaa has provided a meaningful holiday for people of African heritage to celebrate their cultural traditions and values. His academic work and teachings have also contributed to a greater understanding of African history and ethics. Maulana Karenga’s lifelong dedication to activism, scholarship, and cultural preservation has left an indelible mark on the African American community and beyond. His work continues to inspire generations to embrace their heritage and strive for unity and progress.