Kwanzaa begins Monday with celebration at Youngstown church

Kwanzaa begins Monday with celebration at Youngstown church

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The holiday of Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration of African-American culture and heritage, begins Monday night with an event at a city church.

An event observing Umoja, which means unity — one of the seven core principles of Kwanzaa — takes place at 7 p.m. Monday at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St.

The program will feature The Harambee Youth Organization and will include music, dancing, cultural expression and black vendors.

Maulana Karenga is credited with creating Kwanzaa, which was first celebrated on Dec. 26, 1966, in Los Angeles.