STONECREST, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The first day of Kwanzaa brought celebration and education to the New Black Wall Street Market as community members gathered to honor African American and Pan-African heritage.

The celebration runs seven days, from Dec. 26-Jan. 1. Kwanzaa was started in the 1960s as a celebration of African American and Pan-African heritage.

Children performed a play during the event. The celebration also included libations — a ceremony designed to honor ancestors — and presentations from different African American organizations.

Lord Hester, operations coordinator for the New Black Wall Street Market, said he’s seen participation in Kwanzaa ebb and flow over the years.

“There was a high interest,” Hester said of the founding of Kwanzaa in 1966. “A very, very interested community of people supporting it and spreading across America. Then it kind of waned off as development and industry came in, jobs became available, and people’s opportunities advanced. It was a little less of a celebration than it has become over the last, say 10 years.”

Hester said the catalyst for a revival of interest in Kwanzaa was the election of Barack Obama.

Another Kwanzaa event will be held at the New Black Wall Street Jazz Club on Saturday night to honor parents. The event begins at 7 p.m.

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