Obakunle Akinlana speaks at Appalachian State University's Kwanzaa Celebration last year. Photo by Rachel Noel

by JUSTIN HERBERGER
News Reporter

Appalachian State University’s Office for Multicultural Student Development will host a Kwanzaa Celebration tonight in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union at 6 p.m.

The event will feature performances by Appalachian’s Gospel Choir, Lyric spoken word club and Otesha Creative Arts Ensemble from Winston-Salem.

“It should be a program that’s both educational and entertaining,” Graduate Assistant for the Multicultural Center Omar A. Crenshaw said.

Kwanzaa’s roots began in 1966 when Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach created the seven-day holiday to unify African-Americans.

“The main purpose was to uplift the African-American community and emphasize cohesion and family,” Crenshaw said.

“We’re really excited to participate in anything that inspires diversity,” junior creative writing major and Lyric spoken word club President Brittany J. Hughes said.

None of Lyric’s members typically celebrate Kwanzaa, so “it’s really nice for us to put ourselves into something that’s so prominent in Black culture,” Hughes said.

Club members will perform poems highlighting the seven principles of Kwanzaa, called “Nguzo Saba.”

Continuing in an annual tradition of participating in Appalachian’s Kwanzaa celebration, Appalachian Gospel Choir Director Jason Thompson said the students are excited to return to the program.

While the choir will participate by performing a few selections during the event, the students in the choir will also take part in the other aspects of the event, including learning about the principles.

“Imani means faith, and for many of our students, the Gospel Choir is a way they exercise their faith and their beliefs,” Thompson said.

Photo by Rachel Noel  |  File Photo

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