Chicagoans continue to celebrate Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa vendor market
vendor market at Malcolm X College Photo credit Mallory Vor Broker

Community members gathered for a celebration of culture and tradition, with vendors filling Malcolm X College on the city's west side with colorful garments, food, music and family in celebration of Kwanzaa.

Imani Amos, Co-Founders of Chi-Village, the organization that puts on the event each year, says the tradition brings generations of people together, "I've been coming here since I was a little kid and I'm sure I'll be doing this until I'm an elder like the elders that I have around me here."

The week-long African holiday focuses on seven principles: unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Vendors came to support their community and each other says Robin Wheeler, creator of Fetish Cosmetics, a hand-blended, vegan, natural lip product that is cruelty free, "It's a really great time for people to come out and get connected to community."

The celebration, held at Malcolm X College for more than 20 years, is free to the public until January 1st.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mallory Vor Broker