Maulana Karenga is an American professor and activist best known for creating the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa. Celebrated from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa honors African heritage and promotes unity among African Americans. Karenga developed this holiday in 1966 as a way to bring people together and celebrate their cultural roots. In addition to his work on Kwanzaa, Karenga is a prominent figure in the Black Power movement and has contributed to discussions on African American identity and culture. He has written extensively on these topics and continues to be an influential voice in promoting cultural awareness and social justice.