Kwanzaa Celebration Features Housing Authority Director to Speak on Goal Setting

Quick Facts

Ohmar Land will speak at Winthrop's 15th annual Kwanzaa celebration.

This year's celebration will concentrate on purpose.

Ohmar Land

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Ohmar Land, executive director of the Charlotte Housing Authority, will focus on encouraging participants to look within themselves to set personal goals during Winthrop's 15th annual Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 2.

The festivities will begin with a 6:30 p.m. reception followed by the 7 p.m. program in McBryde Hall. This year's ceremony will concentrate on the principle of purpose. Kwanzaa, a non-religious celebration is based on seven principles - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose creativity and faith.

The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili word "Kwanza," which means first and comes from the saying "Matunda Ya Kwanza" or first fruits. The holidays mark a time when an entire community joins to give thanks for life, crops and each other.

Founded in 1966, Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Winthrop students are normally on holiday break then so the university celebrates Kwanzaa before students leave for holiday break. The event also will feature celebrations in song, word and sound by the Association of Ebonites, the West African Drum Ensemble, senior Angelo Geter and guest performance by Sheria Rashawn. Serving as master and mistress of ceremonies are Kevin Vandiver and Linda Atiase.

For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Life at 803/323-4524.

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