TROY, NY (WRGB) — Communities across the capital region gathered to celebrate the third night of Kwanzaa, an African American holiday observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Each day of the celebration highlights a different principle. In Troy, candles were lit in the kinara, each color representing a different aspect: green for the earth and hope, red for the blood and struggle, and black for the people and resilience.
Amani Olugbala, from Troy 4 Black Lives, shared the significance of the holiday, saying, “Celebrating, finding joy, hope and dreaming for a new generation and something better than what we were given.”
Pastor Jerry Ford, who led the event, explained that Kwanzaa represents seven principles, with each day focusing on one. Sunday’s principle was Ujima, meaning collective work and responsibility…