Shortly before the program was to begin, there was a steady flow of people gathering at the Eutaw Activity Center for the annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration.  Many carried covered dishes of food to share at the closing fellowship feasting.  The audience grew even as the program progressed.

The Kwanzaa Celebration, co-sponsored by the Harambe Chapter of 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement and the Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was held Tuesday afternoon, December 27, 2011 at the Eutaw Activity Center. 

 Young people representing Greene and Hale Counties presented the Kwanzaa Symbols and Principles. Alphonzo Morton served as Master of Ceremony. Nancy Cole, Alfretta Crawford and Carol Zippert served on the DST Kwanzaa Committee. The Greene County Community Choir rendered the musical selections.

Kwanzaa is an African American cultural celebration begun in 1965 by Dr. Mulanga Karenga while a graduate student in southern California. Dr. Karenga was inspired to develop Kwanzaa as the people of Watts, a community in Los Angeles, CA, organized to rebuild their lives and community, following four days of riots sparked by confrontations between police and residents.

Kwanzaa, celebrated for seven days from December 26 through January 1, is based on seven Principles intended to guide spiritual living and cooperative community development.

The Principles are: Umoja/Unity; Kujichagulia/Self-Determination; Ujima/Collective Work and Responsibility;        Ujamaa/Cooperative Economics; Nia/Purpose; Kuumba/Creativity and Imani/Faith.

A highlight of the Kwanzaa program involved the interactive discussions of all the Principles by those in attendance.