The Juneteenth Freedom Parade will return to Grand Rapids Monday afternoon, offering an opportunity for community members to celebrate African American freedom.
Saturday Began a Week Long Celebration of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa, a holiday celebrating African American culture began Saturday and is celebrated through this week to New Years Day.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day.
American Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a specifically African-American holiday. Karenga said his goal was to give blacks an alternative to the existing holiday of Christmas and give blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history.
Kwanzaa celebration kicks off in Grand Rapids
Saturday marked the first night of Kwanzaa, a holiday celebrating African American culture.
and last updated 2020-12-26 23:24:15-05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â Saturday marked the first night of Kwanzaa, a holiday celebrating African American culture.
On Eastern Ave. in Grand Rapids the week-long celebration got kicked off by West Michigan Jewels of Africa, who brought in the holiday by dancing, singing and taking part in rituals to love and honor thyself, their ancestors and their culture.
âIt is a cultural celebration of Blackness and the contributions of the African American people to this world,â Organizer Jewellynne âMama Jewelâ Richardson said.