Kwanzaa celebration marks 20 years in Portland [Video]

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Dozens of community members gathered in the Albina district Friday to celebrate the second night of Kwanzaa.

The Community Kwanzaa Celebration has been held for 20 years. This year the event was hosted by Vanport Remodeling & Construction and non-profit Good in the Hood. Performers highlighted the second principle of Kwanzaa: Kujichagulia, which is self-determination.

“This is your community family coming together for fellowship celebrating heritage, celebrating culture, said event co-chair Michelle Harper.

The celebration included spoken word, drumming, a clown, vendors, and a candle lighting ceremony.

Co-chairs Michelle Harper and Angela Harris said they managed to pull it together with only 2 weeks to prepare.

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A primary focus of the event was teaching children about the holiday.

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