They broke up into teams and leaders with bullhorns in hand took festive crowds on tour of black owned businesses in Brooklyn.
Kwanzaa Crawl stepped off on Thursday to mark the start of the 7-day holiday celebrating African heritage.
"Look at all these beautiful black people celebrating, marching. This is positivity. This is what it's all about,” said participant Stephon Bishop.
The event has more than tripled in size since it was created four years ago. It takes place in both Brooklyn and Harlem and organizers say about 5,000 people participated this year, generating more than a quarter million dollars in economic activity for the communities.
"We're just excited to be part of something that's going to bring a day of solidarity and economic parity one day for local businesses that might not have gotten it the day after Christmas,” said participant Kimberley Coke.
Kwanzaa starts on December 26th and lasts until January 1st with each day focused on one of seven principles.
The first day is unity and this group united around the Kinara, lighting candles to commemorate the holiday, which dates back to 1966.
"Starting with the ceremony really helps people set their intentions and know that this is bigger than just a one day event. We want to let people know about Kwanzaa principles and they can embody those for the rest of the year,” said Kwanzaa Crawl co-founder Kerry Coddett.
The principles of "cooperative economics" and "collective work and responsibility" also showcased here.
"The only power that we can have in this wretched system is our economic power so that's why we need to spend within our own,” said a ceremony host.
About 35 black owned businesses reaped the benefits from Bed-Stuy to Park Slope and from Crown Heights to Harlem.
"In this era of getting closer to our roots I think that's what it means. It's us getting closer and discovering we have a culture that's our own,” said participant Darnnell Dorvil.
A special celebration of community and culture, unifying crowds for the start of Kwanzaa.