Kwanzaa celebration emphasizes love, connection and community in Springfield [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Thursday marked the first day of Kwanzaa, and to celebrate, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and city leaders gathered for a special event at City Hall.

Sarno and city officials were joined by the Springfield Kwanzaa Collective. The group, honoring a celebration deeply rooted in African American culture and history. Those in attendance told Western Mass News how they strive to incorporate the principles of Kwanzaa into their daily lives.

“What I take out of it is loving our neighborhood and loving each other, and as we celebrate Kwanzaa, it’s all about family coming together,” Emmanuel Owusu of the Unity Hearts Foundation shared.

Kwanzaa, celebrated by millions of people around the world the day after Christmas through January 1st, was first established back in 1966. Each of the seven days are dedicated to the seven principles found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times, …