Kwanzaa: Uplifting our communities

DELMARVA – Many families across the world are celebrating Kwanzaa.

It’s a celebration of African and African American culture and unity. Throughout the week of celebration, different colored candles red, black, and green are lit. The candles represent how black families utilize their resilience to uplift the culture further towards black excellence.

The NAACP Maryland Chapter says it’s also about using the perseverance of humanity to take ownership of the community.

“Each of the days, that lead up over the seven-day span to intersect why we own our communities and why it’s important that we continue to uplift our humanity especially; not just as black and brown people but quite frankly as human beings,” said Dorien Rogers, President of the NAACP Youth and College Maryland State Conference.

Wednesday marks day two of Kwanzaa, and the message is self-determination. The celebration ends with a feast. Kwanzaa happens every year, from December 26th through January 1st.