CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Kwanzaa is annually recognized from December 26 to January 1. A celebration in our region entitled the Kwanzaa: A Seven Principles Celebration From Unity to Faith Luncheon was held on Saturday afternoon at the Friendship Baptist Church in Corning.

Dozens of people filled the church, sitting side by side for the festivities held from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Guest speakers and musicians came together to discuss and learn both the culture and history of African Americans.

The guest speaker who attended today's Kwanzaa celebration was Tara Clark, a case supervisor for Child Protective Services in Tompkins County. She is also the first person of color to serve in this role.

After the programming, attendees were able to eat a provided lunch, continue their conversations, and simply enjoy one another's company.

"That's what we're doing today, celebrating the seven principles, from unity to faith, and the whole nine," said Georgia Verdier, the President of the Elmira-Corning Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). "And what we find out, yes, it's a cultural holiday for African Americans, but anybody can embrace the principles of Kwanzaa, so we invite people from everywhere to come, because it represents all of us."

Typically the principles are shared individually over Kwanzaa's seven-day period but, today's celebration was condensed to discuss them all in one day. Verdier says this is to ensure that all people can celebrate the holiday together with community members at one time.

More information on the local NAACP Chapter and its upcoming events can be found on their website.