The Booker T. Washington Community Center hosts its annual Kwanzaa dinner each year with the goal of educating Auburn about a holiday often hidden behind the December popularity of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and presents.

“We hold our dinner with the purpose of teaching people about another African American heritage. Not everyone knows about Kwanzaa and what each day stands for,” said Rebecca McLaurin, events coordinator for the Booker T. Washington Community Center.

On Thursday, Dec. 28, the evening the dinner is held, the center will be decorated in red, black and green.

The colors represent the celebration of Kwanzaa which

begins on Tuesday and lasts seven days.

The holiday came to the United States in 1966 and comes from the Swahili, meaning “first fruits.”

McLaurin took over organizing the free event when she began working at the center and said she likes planning events that are educational.

Chicken, macaroni and cheese, collared greens and red beans and rice, all types of African-American heritage food, will be served.

“They call it their soul food,” McLaurin said.

Children also made placemats and cow tail switches used in Kwanzaa ceremonies.

Center teens are baking benne cakes and sesame cakes, which give good luck when eaten, McLaurin explained.

“It's something to show kids of their heritage,” McLaurin said. “It's important every child knows who they are.”

During the two-hour dinner, children from the center will conduct a candle-lighting ceremony explaining the meaning of each of the seven days of Kwanzaa.

“Usually one candle is lit each night of Kwanzaa,” McLaurin said.

Children from the Center and a local choir will also sing songs that associate with the African-American celebration.

“The meaning of Kwanzaa is to celebrate the freedom of expressing yourself as an individual,” McLaurin said.

Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or

kristina.martino@lee.net