Family and unity were celebrated on the first day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 26, 2025, at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in southeast Gainesville.
The program featured African drumming, singing, storytelling and centerpieces on each table that featured portraits of families.
One of the highlights of the program was the lighting of the Umoja candle by William Harmon, who was surrounded by family as he lit the black candle in the middle of seven candles to mark the beginning of Kwanzaa…