Kwanzaa Krawl honors heritage, unity with Black-owned vendors, artists, nonprofits

The annual Kwanzaa Krawl event is back for its second year, and the weeklong event, coinciding with the seven days of Kwanzaa starting on Dec. 26, is ushering in the spirit of the holiday.

Kwanzaa is all about honoring and uplifting African heritage in African American culture and bringing family, community and peace together. For those who celebrate in Savannah, it also signifies the opportunity to highlight and showcase local Black-owned restaurants, artists and nonprofit organizations.

"It [Kwanzaa Krawl] comes out of the people who have been tied to the public Kwanzaa celebration," said Amir Jamal Touré , cultural historian and co-organizer of the event. "Even in the face of the pandemic, what occurs is that we now have the Kwanzaa Krawl that has come about to help with the regards to the evolution of it. So, that's the wonderful thing."

Savannah Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter  is also an organizer of Kwanzaa Krawl, the idea for the event coming out of the rising violent crime and homicide cases in 2020 among Savannah's boys and men.

Gibson-Carter saw an opportunity to amplify the principles of Kwanzaa and said she wanted to "remind our young men and boys of their value by promoting peace, evoking love and ultimately helping them understand the responsibility they have to our ancestors who fought for so many of the freedoms they enjoy today."

Each night from 6-8 p.m., a different restaurant will serve as the host site and guests can expect fellowship, music, dancing and a Kwanzaa spelling bee. Partial proceeds from the sales will be donated to various charities.

Local elected leaders and local historians will also be in attendance, the latter of who will highlight the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith)

The event will also feature local storytellers, lecturers, poets, authors, teachers and speakers.

Guests will be asked to follow COVID restrictions and guidelines, as well as participate in on-site screening and testing.

Laura Nwogu is the quality of life reporter for Savannah Morning News. Contact her at lnwogu@gannett.com. Twitter: @lauranwogu_