NC State’s African American Cultural Center hosted a Kwanzaa celebration in Witherspoon Student Center on Wednesday evening, using poetry to illustrate the holiday’s sentiments.

First to address the audience was an enthusiastic Amani Manning, ambassador for the African American Cultural Center and senior studying political science.

“I know there is a rich history of celebrating Kwanzaa on our campus, especially the African-American community,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it from the African American Cultural Center and we pretty much host the program so I am all in on it.”

Following a talk on the holiday’s history, students presented the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani. A spoken word performance followed each principle, relating its meaning to African-American culture.

For Kujichagulia, which means ‘self-determination,’ the floor was opened for people to share stories about the topic. Achaia Dent, a sophomore studying animal science, volunteered to speak.

Dent described herself in a metaphor for being an apple, as in, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” She explained that this gave her the self-determination and drive to be where she is today.

To present Ujima, which means “collective work,” singer Jha’mai Milindez from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University sung and performed a song and her own spoken word. She finished off by saying “This is my story, this is her story, this is our story, not his story.”

“I center all my energy to my heart,” Milindez said. “Anytime I perform, I want everyone to feel the love, passion and warmth that I have inside myself projected out to people.”

The principles Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani, mean “cooperative economics,” “purpose,” “creativity” and “faith,” respectively.

“The atmosphere was amazing during the event,” said Syhana Gainey, a sophomore studying chemistry. “I really felt welcomed, and there were great vibes through the night.”

Jessica Stubbs, a junior studying sport management, described how the event was very culturally sound.

“[The event] was lit,” Stubbs said. “It was very black, not in a typical what you see on the news, violent or disturbing way, but it was very culturally black, [everybody] turned up and was hype.”

Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26 and ends on New Year’s Day.