JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – 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. The organization chartered in 1978 seeks to be a catalyst for advocacy, awareness, and action. Waikinya Clanton, the chapter’s 2024 Woman of the Year, is ecstatic when Kwanza starts on December 26 yearly.

“When we talk about principles like Umoja, you know, when we’re talking about unity and bringing us together to celebrate the things that make us uniquely us, this event allows us to be able to put that on full display,” Clanton said.

The program highlighted the importance of family, community, and culture through fellowship, dance, and reflections of history. The celebration also honored the seven principles of Kwanzaa along with recognizing some notable African Americans in history.

The seven Kwanzaa candles were lit throughout the ceremony by designated community champions. The seven-day celebration ends on January 1.