(U-WIRE) BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Read 12 new books. Eat only healthy foods. Save enough money to take a trip to Italy. Exercise every day.

As the New Year approaches, Bowling Green State University students, faculty and staff are probably thinking about New Year's resolutions. These resolutions are a chance for a fresh start, a time for change and personal renewal.

Like serious New Year's resolutions, the principles of Kwanzaa help individuals gain a fresh start by creating stronger communities and families and encouraging individuals to achieve their fullest potentials.

In the African-American community, Kwanzaa is celebrated each year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 to reaffirm and renew the community by teaching the Nguzo (N-goo-zo) Saba, or Seven Principles.

Because the holiday falls over winter break, the University will host a Kwanzaa celebration called "Salute to the Sisters."

Kwanzaa was founded by Maulana Karenga in 1966. It is the only officially recognized African-American holiday celebrated in the United States.

"[Maulana Karenga] was looking for a way to address some of the social issues that had come up in the African American community," said Sheila Brown, assistant director for Multicultural and Academic Initiatives and coordinator of the campus event. "He wanted to get back to the simple, yet profound life found in Africa ... and bring the black community back to where it used to be: strong, prideful and successful."

Brown said within the last 25 years, Kwanzaa's popularity has risen in the United States. She said the University has been sponsoring a Kwanzaa celebration for the past seven years.

The University's celebrations are modeled after the sixth day traditional festivities, the Karamu — the time to celebrate creativity and entertainment. Each year also has a special tribute. This year the celebration will focus on the contributions of women.

"We try to celebrate as much of Kwanzaa as we can in the short amount of time we have," Brown said. "We are striving to be a university that prides itself in being diverse and culturally rich, so it's nice to have opportunities on campus where people can go and learn about other cultures."

This year's Kwanzaa event features several singing and dancing performances, the African Dance Troupe, Ghanaian trio, a mime artist and segments on the history of Kwanzaa and its Seven Principles. A soul food dinner will also be served.

Brown said she enjoys organizing cultural events such as these because she feels like she is helping to educate the campus community.

"Students complain that there's nothing to do on campus, but if they would take time and open their eyes, they would see all of these wonderful opportunities to learn," Brown said. "We are becoming an increasingly global society, so we need to start learning here, at home."

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Center for Multicultural and Academic Initiatives or can be purchased at the door. Tickets are $7 for students, $10 for general admission and $5 for children ages 3 to 12.

"Come for the wonderful entertainment," Brown said. "Stay for the wonderful education."

— Christy Jenkins