The annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration was held Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Eutaw Activity Center. The program was sponsored by the Harambe Chapter of 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement and the Greene County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The program participants included the local youth engaged in projects of the sponsoring organizations including Harambe members, 2017 Debutantes and members of Delta Academy.
Kwanzaa is a harvest celebration honoring the culture and heritage of African Americans. The seven day observance begins December 26 through January 1. Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga at the time of the Watts Riots in California in the 1960’s. Dr. Karenga was seeking a positive approach for rebuilding communities and celebrating African American history and culture. He took the name for the holiday from the Swahili word Kwanzaa meaning first fruits of the harvest. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa also lift the values to strive for in our lives and communities: Umoja – Unity; Kujichagulia – Self Determination; Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility; Ujamaa – Cooperatives; Nia – Purpose; Kuumba – Creativity; and Imani – Faith.
The sponsors distributed magnet gifts which displayed the Kwanzaa Principles in Swahili and English as well as the Community Pledge recited by all the participants at the Kwanzaa Celebration.