Synthia Saint James, an award-winning artist and designer of the first United States Postal Stamp for the Kwanzaa holiday, is an internationally recognized artist. Ms. Saint James has completed over 40 commissions for major organizations, corporations, and individual collectors. She has written and/or illustrated 13 children's picture books, three poetry and prose books, four children's activity books, one cookbook, and one postcard book.

In addition, Ms. Saint James has completed over a dozen commissioned signature images for nonprofit organizations, including the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, Children's Institute International, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and the 2004 Harlem Book Fair.

Ms. Saint James' paintings grace the covers of more than 60 books, including Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale, Disappearing Acts, Mama, and the Japanese translation of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Iyanla Vanzant's Acts of Faith, Faith in the Valley and the Big Book of Faith.

The recipient of numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to children's books and other humanitarian activities, Ms. Saint James was honored with the 2004 Woman of the Year Award in Education by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women.


Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday celebrated annually from December 26th to January 1st.

The first Kwanzaa was celebrated in 1966. Today, Kwanzaa is a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are:
- Umoja (Unity)
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
- Nia (Purpose)
- Kuumba (Creativity)
- Imani (Faith)

Celebrate your heritage with The Black Candle, the definitive film on Kwanzaa and the African-American experience. Help spread the movement:

- Organize screenings of The Black Candle at your university, school, cultural center, museum, or other cultural institution

- Bring the director of The Black Candle, acclaimed author/filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., to your screening for a discussion and Q+A

- Organize screenings of The Black Candle in your home

- Utilize The Black Candle in the classroom

- Program screenings all year round, especially during Kwanzaa and Black History Month