News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville Putnam NAACP will host its second annual Kwanzaa celebration Wednesday.
President Tom Savage said Kwanzaa is a non-religious celebration, focused on the belief in the strength of family bonds as well as the importance of community leaders, both past and present.
“This is an opportunity for you to sit down and break bread with a diverse group of people,” Savage said. “Black, White, in our community, and Hispanic, everyone is welcome and then we’ll play games and the food will be fantastic.”
Savage said Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration consisting of seven different principles: Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
The event concludes with a feast as part of the celebration, at McClellan Avenue Church of Christ Wednesday. Savage said the Church has welcomed the Kwanzaa celebration to its fellowship center.
“We come together and we just celebrate Unity,” Savage said. “Happy to be American, happy to live in a great nation, happy to know that, you know, you are who you are in your culture. But guess what? We can blend together and be one with unity.”
Savage said last year’s celebration took place at a smaller offsite location. He said the event’s message of unity and the enjoyable atmosphere gained attention, inspiring more people to participate this year.
“If you looked in the room we had last year, you saw every person that represents our community,” Savage said. “Black, white, indigenous folks, and this year it’s going to be the same way but even in greater numbers.”
