CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa is now underway on the West Side.
Barbara Maschino is the dean of the West Campus at Malcolm X College, which is hosting Kwanzaa events over the next seven days.
“The seven-day Kwanzaa is a really welcoming experience, and it’s an experience that, Chicago, I can say, has been looking for to coming back with a seven-day Kwanzaa, so we’re really glad this is happening again,” Maschino told WBBM.
Kwanzaa dates back to its inception in 1966. It runs until New Year’s Day and each of the Seven Days of Kwanzaa is associated with one of seven specific principles, like unity, self-determination and faith.
“I have been celebrating Kwanzaa since I was a child…I think Chicago’s role is that there’s a community that’s here, that celebrates and is impacted and wants to participate with Kwanzaa,” said Sydney Adams, media specialist at Malcom X’s IT Department.
The weeklong Kwanzaa celebration at Malcolm X College, located on the 1900 block of West Jackson, is hosting discussions and performances as well as includes vendors selling handmade and exquisite jewelry, African clothing and, among other items, African inspired art. It runs through Jan. 1.
Every day at noon the program starts with a drum call.
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