Amilcar Shabazz, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, leads a Kwanzaa program at the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield on Sunday. Shabazz commentates on contemporary issues and history in local, national and international media, and is the former president of the National Council of Black Studies. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON

Greenfield resident Gloria Matlock speaks during a Kwanzaa program at the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield on Sunday. The first-ever program was organized by Racial Justice Rising. Nearly 50 people attended. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON

Children in the Twice As Smart youth group sing Kwanzaa songs during a program at the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield on Sunday. The first-ever program was organized by Racial Justice Rising. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON

From left, Amilcar Shabazz, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Greenfield resident Gloria Matlock lead a Kwanzaa program at the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield on Sunday. The first-ever program was organized by Racial Justice Rising. Nearly 50 people attended. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON