SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Tuesday marked the fifth day of Kwanzaa, with the week-long celebration honoring African heritage, community and fundamental values through the principle of Nia, or purpose.

The St. Joseph County Public Library’s auditorium was filled with festivities for the local Indiana Black Expo’s annual Kwanzaa celebration.

Each day of Kwanzaa, a value is shared with family, from unity to self-determination to purpose and faith, with each represented by a candle on the kinara.

“It’s important for unity and love and getting together and stopping all the nonsense and just getting back to the basics and love,” said Maria Fleming, who received an honorary award.

Community activist Charlotte Pfeifer-Gillam emphasized the broader significance of the celebration.

“African Americans what we bring to the table is building the United States of America through our blood, sweat and tears, don’t ever forget it,” Pfeifer-Gillam said.

The celebration focused on honoring those who live by and share Kwanzaa principles daily.

“They may not be recognized all the time, they may not be the more common names that you hear about, but they’re definitely doing some great work in our community, and it’s very important for us to recognize them as well,” said Latorya Greene, president of South Bend Chapter Indiana Black Expo.

In addition to music, the event featured free Kwanzaa books and a canned food drive. The night ended with a free fellowship meal, connecting and empowering the community.

“We all want the best for our community, we all want it to thrive, we want everyone to be able to thrive, but we can’t do it all alone. We have to come together as a community,” Greene said.

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