8 UCW DECEMBER 26, 2018-JANUARY 1, 2019
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
e Umoja Group, Inc. of Fayetteville
presents its annual Kwanzaa Celebra-
tion this Saturday, Dec. 29, at Smith
Recreation Center from 5–8 p.m. It's a
time to celebrate, reflect and learn.
Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits
of the harvest," was created by Mau-
lana Karenga and was first celebrated
in the late 1960s. It is a celebration that
honors African heritage in African-
American culture, and it is observed
from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, culminating in a
feast and gift-giving.
"Kwanzaa is a secular event that
celebrates culture, family and com-
munity," said Wanda Wesley, a
member of the Umoja Group. "We
want to bring the community together
to celebrate and learn about African
kings and queens."
e event will feature a candle-light-
ing ceremony, a libation to honor an-
cestors, a parade of kings and queens,
singers, dancers, drummers and the
presentation of the annual Umoja
Group Scholarship.
e Association of Black Social
Workers, Fayetteville/Cumberland
County Chapter, will collect nonper-
ishable food items, winter coats, hats
and gloves to be donated to Opera-
tion Blessing.
e candle-lighting ceremony
features seven candles in a kinara. e
candles symbolize the seven principles
of Kwanzaa, which are unity, self-
determination, collective work and
responsibility, cooperative economics,
purpose, creativity and faith.
e nonprofit organization has
awarded $19,000 in scholarships since
1998. "We will be giving out two schol-
arships to two students," said Wesley.
"We are so happy to be able to give
those scholarships out yearly.
"ere is a surprise performance this
year that everyone is sure to enjoy, so
come out and experience it. Everyone is
invited to bring their favorite dish and
to dress in ethnic wear."
e event is free and open to the
public. Donations are appreciated and
are tax deductible. For more informa-
tion, call 910-485-8035 or email umo-
jagroupfay@gmail.com.
Umoja Group invites community to celebrate Kwanzaa
by DR. SHANESSA FENNER
EVENTS
DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Prin-
cipal, WT Brown Elementary School.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-
ingweekly.com. 910 484-6200.
Kwanzaa celebrates culture, family and community.
