St. Mark United Methodist Church in Lakeland will host its annual Kwanzaa Celebration.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Dec. 26, the first night of Kwanzaa. The celebration will include African dancing, poetry reading, candle lighting, and reciting the Kwanzaa pledge.
The keynote speaker is Kristopher Childs, a former mathematics professor who specializes in education thought leadership, according to a news release.
Childs earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education from the University of Central Florida, his Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Nova Southeastern University, and his Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from Florida A&M University. He is co-author of “Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Girls in Grades K-5.”
Kwanzaa is an African-American and pan-African holiday celebrating family, community, and culture, the release said. Created in 1966, it is held every year from Dec. 26 until Jan. 1. The holiday is centered around seven principles, which are named in Swahili, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa.
Organizers are inviting youths ages 13 to 21 to take a Kwanzaa pledge, the release said.
“It’s so important to have this event in Lakeland to continue to bring about unity in the community,” Yvonne McShay, a longtime church member and the coordinator of the event. “We want to encourage others to fulfill the main principles of Kwanzaa, which include being creative, living with purpose and faith and supporting Black-owned businesses.”