Bringing together food, song, discussion and more, a local committee is inviting all to 11th Street Baptist Church on Tuesday for Bowling Green’s 24th community celebration of the African-American holiday Kwanzaa.

The celebration, a public education event organized by the Bowling Green Community Kwanzaa Committee, covers the weeklong Kwanzaa holiday in the one evening, from 6-8 p.m. A key part is a reflection of Kwanzaa’s seven principles, normally discussed over each of the seven holiday days: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. These are values common in multiple cultures expressed in different languages across east Africa, said John Hardin, a former decadeslong history professor at Western Kentucky University who previously worked with the committee. For Hardin, the reflection also means discussing the seven values at the community level.

“To me, it means community gathering, reflecting on what we’ve done in the past year, and what we need to do for the next year — considering things that we need to do in terms of self determination, improving things in the community that need improving, how we can help each other (…),” Hardin said.

The evening’s theme is purpose, power, family and community, the committee cochair Chasity Rodgers Dunn said. After a welcome from Albert Mbanfu and Nadia Jones, the Rev. Carl E. Whitfield will lead in prayer, and Cassandra Little will speak on the holiday’s symbols, according to the event program. Community members will light candles to represent the seven principles and then speak on them.

All throughout, there’ll be performances, including a song selection from the musician Chadwick Shockley, a liturgical dance by Vayani Terrance, a musical selection by the church’s youth choir and a musical performance by DaLin Boamah. Barbara Pollock will hold a tribute to ancestors, and after closing remarks from the committee cochairs Rodgers Dunn and Megan Bailey, there will be a feast with a blessing held by Bailey, and then a chant on pulling together among attendees.

The local business Soulful Expressions Catering will serve up African food, Rodgers Dunn said: Hoppin John, African stew and a non-meat option for vegetarians. There’ll be traditional American chili, as well, she said.

There’s an annual charity, and this year, they’ll be taking donations such as personal care and household products for women at the Bowling Green recovery home Pita’s Place, Rodgers Dunn said.

The local celebration had begun out of community members’ homes more than 20 years ago, Rodgers Dunn said. It eventually outgrew their homes, and has since been held at churches across the community.