Kwanzaa celebrations are being planned this week in the Mahoning Valley.

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, which is usually on the sixth day.

Kwanzaa was started by activist Maulana Karenga based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of southeast Africa.

Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966 with estimates that between 500,000 and 2 million Americans celebrate Kwanzaa each year.

The schedule is:

• Umoja (unity) — 6 p.m. Friday at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown. The event will include music, dancing, cultural expression and feature the Harambee Youth Organization and the Karamu / community feast. Host pastor is the Rev. Kenneth Simon.

• Kujichagulia (self determination) — 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Newport Library, 3730 Market St., Youngstown. The event includes Joe Napier, local Juneteenth coordinator with Youngstown Creative Collective. The event will feature “The Lit Exchange” stories of self determination. Those attending can bring a book and share a story of self determination. Books will be available for exchange and a writing workshop will follow.

• Ujima (collective work and responsibility) — 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown. The event will include music, dancing and cultural expression and will feature the Beulah Baptist Youth Department and emcee Vincent Shivers.

• Nia (purpose) — 6 p.m. Dec. 30 at United Returning Citizens, 611 Belmont Ave., Youngstown. The event will include the showing of the movie “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and Systemic Consequences on Youngstown’s Black Community” by Joy Degru. The event is sponsored by the URC, the Student Brotherhood Association, and Know Thyself African Market Place.

Event organizers said the events will continue to follow COVID-19 safety precautions, which will include taking temperatures and sanitizing of hands. All other nights of Kwanzaa are to be celebrated at home.