About 40 people gathered inside City Hall in the morning to celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa, called umoja or unity, with music, dancing and the lighting of the first of seven candles signifying each day of the holiday that ends on Jan.

Thursday marks the start of Kwanzaa, and in downtown Detroit, things are even brighter with the menorah lighting ceremony, which took place just a short time ago. It's all part of the Motor City Kwanzaa celebration,

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The Capital City Kwanzaa Festival is returning to Richmond in late December. The festival, hosted by Elegba Folklore Society, will span from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center,