Kwanzaa 365 Kicks Off in Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — On Thursday, December 26, the YMI Cultural Center in Asheville marked the start of its Kwanzaa 365 celebration. This week-long event commemorates African American culture through various activities, including music, ceremonies, and community engagement.
The center encourages participants to reflect the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which include Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
“We woke up like everyone else, surprised at the devastation and chaos that was around us. It took most of us about two days to get out of our neighborhoods to get back here,” said Hannibal Pera, a ceremony attendee, referring to recent challenging circumstances faced by the community. He continued, “It was the silver lining because out of the chaos, seeing the love and support from the community gave us hope.”
The celebration runs daily at 6 p.m. until January 1, and many activities, such as interactive health panels, will take place each day. Additionally, the festivities will be streamed live on the YMI YouTube Channel for those unable to attend in person.
Schedule of Events
- December 27: Movie Night
- December 28: UJIMA Health Expo from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- December 31: Free Clothing Giveaway before the evening ceremony at 8 p.m.
Activities and Engagement
Diverse health and wellness resources, live DJ music, cooking demonstrations, and mental health panels will enhance the celebrations. Each gathering will feature specific themes aimed at promoting community and cultural connections.
For further information, visit the YMI Cultural Center’s official website.
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