The annual event highlights collective responsibility and reflection on values practiced over the past year, and carrying them forward into the new one
By Bob & Tracy Palermini for Ashland.news
A Kwanzaa cultural celebration featuring music, dancing and dinner took place Sunday evening at the Historic Ashland Armory. The event was organized by Southern Oregon nonprofit Black Alliance & Social Empowerment (BASE) as part of its mission to support Black residents through community events, leadership development and shared resources.
Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural celebration that encourages reflection on the past year and intention for the year ahead. This year’s BASE gathering was held on the third night of Kwanzaa, which honors the principle of Ujima, meaning collective work and responsibility. BASE leaders said the focus reflected how the organization’s accomplishments are rooted in community collaboration and shared effort.
BASE Founder and Executive Director Vance Beach emceed the program, which included presentations from students in the organization’s first Youth Leadership Accelerator Program. Six student leaders were introduced through video presentations highlighting their leadership projects, with several also speaking in person about their experiences. A year-in-review video showcased BASE’s work over the past year and connected it to Kwanzaa’s principles, along with the concept of Sankofa, learning from the past to move forward.
The evening concluded with a candle lighting ceremony honoring all seven principles of Kwanzaa, followed by dinner, networking and dancing. Organizers encouraged attendees to reflect on the values practiced over the past year and carry them into the new one together.
Bob & Tracy Palermini are residents of Ashland, where he is staff photographer for Ashland.news. Email Bob at bobpal@gmail.com.
Related stories:
BASE Southern Oregon among 91 organizations to receive cultural grants (Dec. 18, 2025)
Building a BASE: Black Alliance & Social Empowerment works on community building (Feb. 9, 2024)
