The annual celebration of African-American culture honors 7 principles, one for each day, teaching lessons for families to live by. The first one is Umoja, which represents unity. Kwanzaa runs through January 1.

Kwanzaa, celebrated December 26 to January 1 each year, is a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate African American culture. Denver offers its own interpretation of the holiday,

On the second day of Kwanzaa, dozens of community members gathered for the 27th Annual Senior Kwanzaa Luncheon Celebration at Zion Senior Center in Denver.

Thursday marked the first day of Kwanzaa and Detroiters went to the downtown area for the third annual lighting of the Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara.

Celebrations continue Thursday for day two of Hanukkah and day one of Kwanzaa — a holiday celebrating African American culture and community. New Bethel Baptist Church in Youngstown held a celebration focused on “Umoja” or unity.

The first day of Kwanzaa was celebrated in a unique way in downtown Jackson Thursday night. The Women for Progress of Mississippi presented a celebration of Kwanzaa in partnership with the Two Mississippi Museums.