The City of Holyoke hosted an observance of Kwanzaa on Thursday, December 28, at City Hall.

Kwanzaa, which is observed annually the last week of December, celebrates African heritage and Kwanzaa’s seven principles, unity, self- determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Holyoke’s observance of Kwanzaa was led by the Kwanzaa Collective of Western Mass and other members of the African American community. Kwanzaa Collective President Ayanna Crawford led the event with a symbolic candle-lighting ceremony, drummers, a poet, recognition of community leaders, and remarks by Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, professor of history and Africana Studies in the W.E.B. DuBois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia read a proclamation designating Kwanzaa Week in Holyoke.