The Greene County community held its annual Kwanzaa celebration on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at the Eutaw Activity Center. The key sponsor of the program was the Harambe Chapter of 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, assisted by the Greene County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kwanzaa is an end of year thanksgiving event which brings the community together to lift the blessings of the ending year and to pledge and dedicate themselves toward working together to build a better community for everyone.
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 program participants included youth members of the sponsoring organization and the 2018 Debutant Class. Mr. Alphonzo Morton, III served as Master of Ceremony with musical selections provided by the Greene County Community Choir. Rev. Joe N. Webb led the devotions and blessing of the Harvest Feast.
The community shared the Talking Stick for expressions of the Kwanzaa Principles.