NEW YORK - A new tradition at City Hall Park - the lighting of the kinara to celebrate Kwanzaa.

Radio host Ebro Darden suggested the idea to the Mayor de Blasio last week on his morning show.

"Everybody can celebrate Hanukkah and everybody can celebrate Christmas, so why can't everyone celebrate Kwanzaa. So here we are today with a great opportunity to learn, to come together, to unify,” said Ebro Darden, the host of Ebro in the Morning.

The seven-day cultural holiday was first celebrated in 1966 and is meant to honor African American's ancestral roots.

Each day represents a principal and is celebrated, with the lighting of a candle.

First Lady Chirlane McCray took Mayor de Blasio to his first Kwanzaa celebration in 1991.

"Kwanza is much more than a holiday. The seven principals are a guide for our lives, a reminder of what is important,” said the city’s First Lady.

Like the other holidays this season, Kwanzaa looks a little different.

A communal feast is usually held on the 6th day, but because of the pandemic those will be scaled back.

Many traditions will have to be held virtually with the hope of educating others about the holiday.

This kinara outside of City Hall is meant to do the same.

"Everyone who hasn't experienced Kwanzaa, everyone who has only had a glimpse of what it means has an opportunity to learn a lot more and feel why it is so important, why is it so special,” explained Mayor de Blasio.

Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris released a message on Twitter, reminiscing about how she celebrated the holiday as a child.

She said her favorite value was that of self-determination or kujichagulia.

"It's about not letting anyone write our future. But instead going out and writing it ourselves. And that principle motivates me today as we seek to confront the challenges facing our country and to build a brighter future for all of us,” she said.

Those celebrating this year say the principal of imani, meaning faith, is one New Yorkers and those around the world can reflect on, after a year filled with many acts of good faith and love during some very difficult times.