GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – The Gulf Coast Kwanzaa Coalition held its 33rd annual celebration to celebrate the roots of African American culture.
The tradition, founded in 1966, is observed over seven days, starting December 26 and ending on January 1.
Visitors came together to focus on the foundation of the holiday and the seven core principles.
Ceremonial events included the lighting of the candles, a youth poem and a keynote speaker.
The evening was dedicated to Ujamaa, meaning cooperative economics, along with unity, shared responsibility, and supporting the community through collective effort.
Organizers say the holiday is a chance to reflect on the past and build towards the future.
“It’s a time for us to remember, to reassess and to rebuild,” Gulf Coast Kwanzaa Coalition founding member Judy Lombard Barkum said. “What did I do good? What did I do bad? How can I work harder to import these principles? And so that was the whole idea behind it.”
“We get a chance to reflect on all the values and the customs and beliefs that we have as African American people and to enjoy those and embrace those for seven days,” guest speaker Dr. Reginald Rackley said.
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