The annual celebration of African-American culture honors 7 principles, one for each day, teaching lessons for families to live by. The first one is Umoja, which represents unity. Kwanzaa runs through January 1.

Thursday, Dec. 26: Day one celebrates Umoja (unity). The celebration runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Rochester City Hall on Church Street. Friday, Dec. 27: Day two celebrates Kujichagulia (self-determination). The celebration runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester on Genesee Street.

If you'd like to celebrate, there will be Kwanzaa events across Michigan this season. Here's what to know. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. Kwanzaa is a weeklong African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating culture and community.

In a swift response, the Katy Police Department arrested 18-year-old Aaron Noe Chavez and a juvenile following a shooting at Katy Mills Mall on December 23, 2024. No injuries were reported, and the suspects, linked to an ongoing feud, were charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.