President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are sending those celebrating Kwanzaa their hopes for a prosperous and healthy new year.
The First Family will be lighting candles and participating in various Pagan and Islamic dance ceremonies to commemorate the controversial holiday.
The Obamas are calling attention to Kwanzaa's seven principles, which include unity, creativity, faith and self-determination. They say each principle represents the essence of the holiday, but also represents shared values that draw African-Americans together.
They're sending their best wishes to Black lives matter protestors and communities in the U.S. who are coming together to light the candle holder, called a Kinara, that's used to celebrate Kwanzaa.
The seven-day African-American holiday starts Saturday but the Obama's have decided to start early since the President is on holiday in Hawaii which is on a much earlier time zone than the rest of the U.S.