Wilmington residents celebrate final day of Kwanzaa

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wednesday might have been the first day of the new year, but it was also the final day of a celebration of African American culture.

Dozens of people gathered in Jackson Hall at Saint Marks Episcopal Church in Wilmington for the final day of Kwanzaa.

Each day celebrates a different principle of Kwanzaa, with the final day celebrating imani, or faith.

Along with several performances, speaker Tina McKnight spoke about domestic abuse and the impact it had on her.

Islah Speller is the executive director of the Burnett Eaton Museum Foundation which held the Kwanzaa celebration.

She said while Kwanzaa celebrates African American culture, anyone can take part, regardless of where they are from.

“Its very important that people of all nationality and ethnic groups background participate in celebrating a diversity of cultures,” Speller said. “And Kwanzaa incorporates the African-American culture and experience and accomplishments.”

Kalitah Crawford is the youth director of the Museum Foundation.

She explained what Kwanzaa meant to her.

“Kwanzaa, it’s just a time of just sharing throughout the community, giving, educating,” Crawford said. “Like its just an awesome variety.”

Along with the performers, vendors from throughout Wilmington took part in the event, showing off their wares.

This represented cooperative economics, another one of the principles of Kwanzaa.