“Soul Food, Soul Music, Soul People” is the theme of First Afrikan Presbyterian Church’s 15th annual Kwanzaa Celebration.

The nightly series observes the African-American cultural holiday of Kwanzaa that is celebrated Dec. 26-Jan. 1. Events will take place at the Lithonia church and at the Lou Walker Center in Lithonia and the Atrium in Atlanta.

Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California State University-Long Beach. It celebrates family, community and culture through seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba.

First Afrikan’s celebration will highlight each Kwanzaa principle – Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). Each night, a Kwanzaa candle will be lit for the principle being observed, and church elders will share wisdom about the principle.

Dr. Itihari Toure, who coordinates the church’s Kwanzaa program, said the celebration’s “soul” theme demonstrates how people of African descent created spiritual beauty despite social ugliness and developed a creative resilience in the midst of adversity.

“This beautiful and resilient nature of the African-Americans is part of what makes the Soul Food, Soul Music of a Soul People,” said Toure, who is the director of the church’s Center for Afrikan Biblical Studies.

On Dec. 26, First Afrikan members, drummers, and Rites of Passage programs will celebrate Umoja-Unity with the Metro Atlanta Kwanzaa Association at the Atrium, 236 Auburn Ave. in Atlanta. The program starts at 7 p.m.

“Lessons From the Kitchen Table – Tribute to Our Elders” takes place Dec. 27 at Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road in Lithonia. The wisdom, love and creativity of the black family will be dramatized through poetry, dance and film. The program starts at 7 p.m.

The celebration comes home to First Afrikan Church on Dec. 28 with “Soul People Getting the Work Done.” The 7 p.m. program will salute families who work and maintain communities, churches and other institutions, from the plantation and sharecroppers, railroad workers and domestics, to factory workers and office employees.

“Soul Food Is Our Sankofa” takes place on Dec. 29 with guest storyteller and chef Kenneth Willhoite of the Soul Food Museum. The program will explore the legacy of soul food in the lives of African people.

Willhoite, who is the founder and CEO of America’s Soul Food Museum on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, has cooked for celebrities such as Patti LaBelle, Earth Wind & Fire, Muhammad Ali, Diana Ross and Dr. Dorothy Height.

On Dec. 30, “Soul Music Has a Purpose” will take the audience on an exploration of gospel, doo-wop, “race” music and legendary soul music labels to Def Jam.

The church doors open Dec. 28, 29 and 30 at 6:30 p.m. for Children’s Kwanzaa Crafts & Cookie-making, Ancestral Remembrances, and the Afrikan Marketplace. It culminates on Dec. 31 with the church’s annual Umoja Karamu-Watch Night service beginning at 10 p.m.

First Afrikan Presbyterian Church is at 5197 Salem Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-981-2601.