Kwanzaa is a vibrant, week-long celebration that honors African American culture and heritage. Rooted in the principles of unity, self-determination, and collective work, Kwanzaa is an opportunity to reflect on and embrace our cultural identity. Join us in our latest blog post as we explore the origins of Kwanzaa and its significance to Black culture. We also share ideas for festive activities, delicious recipes, and ways to bring family and community together.

Kwanzaa is a perfect time to celebrate and honor our ancestors. It is important to understand and preserve family history, share stories and traditions passed down through generations, and use genealogy to strengthen familial bonds. Kujichagulia, or self-determination, is the second principle of Kwanzaa and focuses on defining, naming, creating, and speaking for oneself. This principle encourages individuals and communities to take control of their own destiny and narrative, fostering a strong sense of identity and purpose. The principle of Kujichagulia emphasizes how knowing our roots helps us define and embrace our identity.

Tracing your family roots allows you to understand the diverse threads that make up your heritage. This knowledge helps individuals appreciate the cultural, historical, and social contexts that have shaped their identity.

By learning about your ancestors and their stories, you can find connections and commonalities that affirm your sense of self. This deep understanding empowers you to proudly embrace and celebrate your identity.

Exploring genealogy often involves connecting with family members and sharing stories. These shared experiences strengthen bonds and foster a collective sense of identity and unity within the family.

Knowing your roots helps preserve cultural traditions and practices that might otherwise be lost. This preservation ensures that future generations can also benefit from and contribute to the family’s legacy.

Self-determination is about creating a legacy for future generations. By documenting and sharing your family’s history, you provide a foundation that future generations can build upon, empowering them to continue the journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

By embracing Kujichagulia and exploring your genealogy, you not only gain a deeper understanding of who you are but also contribute to the collective strength and resilience of your community. This journey of self-discovery and empowerment is a powerful way to honor your ancestors and ensure their legacy continues to thrive.

Participate in Cultural Activities

Engage in cultural practices, attend heritage events, and join community groups that celebrate your culture and history.

Planning a Karamu (Kwanzaa feast) for Kwanzaa? The perfect menu can be a delightful way to celebrate the holiday’s principles of unity, culture, and community. Here’s a suggested menu that blends traditional African and African American dishes (click the links for the recipes):

Beverages

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus Lemonade

Ginger Beer

This menu offers a variety of flavors and textures that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of African and African American cultures. Enjoy your feast and the joyous spirit of Kwanzaa!

The election of Donald Trump has had a significant impact on people of color and women. Many feel that his policies and rhetoric have often marginalized these groups. For instance, Trump’s administration has been criticized for rolling back protections and rights that disproportionately affect women and people of color. However, it’s also important to note that some individuals within these groups have supported Trump, citing economic policies or other factors they believe benefit them. The overall effect is complex and varies widely among different communities and individuals.

Here are a few examples of how specific policies and societal structures impact people of color and women:

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has had significant impacts, particularly on women of color. Abortion bans have caused outsized harm to people of color, who are more likely to seek abortions and face structural barriers to care. In 2022, the CDC reported that among women who had abortions, 39% were white, 28% were Black, 25% were Hispanic, and 8% were of other racesThe resulting stress, anxiety, and lower self-esteem from being denied abortions have exacerbated existing inequalities. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), in 2022, the uninsured rates for different racial and ethnic groups were 6.6% for White women, 10.0% for African American Women, 18.0% for Hispanic women and 19.1% for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women. These statistics highlight the disparities in healthcare access among different racial and ethnic groups.

Economic policies such as minimum wage laws and social policies like cash, food, and medical assistance have varied impacts on women across different racial and ethnic groups. Women of color are often overrepresented in low-wage professions and face greater financial insecurity in retirement due to lower lifetime earnings.

Health outcomes for women of color are distinct from those of white women and men of color. Chronic stress from navigating a race-and-gender-conscious society can lead to early health decline and poorer health outcomes. Addressing these disparities requires targeted public health interventions and policies.

People of color and women can take several steps to protect themselves and advocate for their rights:

Stay Informed

• Educate Yourself: Stay up-to-date on current events, policies, and laws that affect your rights.
• Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your legal rights in various situations, such as interactions with law enforcement or in the workplace.

Build Community Support

• Join Advocacy Groups: Engage with organizations that work towards equality and justice for people of color and women.
• Create Support Networks: Connect with others in your community to share experiences, resources, and support.

Engage in Civic Activities

• Vote: Participate in local, state, and national elections to help shape policies that impact your community.
• Advocate: Contact your representatives and participate in advocacy campaigns to voice your concerns and demands

Seek Legal Assistance

• Legal Resources: Utilize legal aid organizations that provide support and representation for those facing discrimination or other issues.
• Document Incidents: Keep detailed records of any discriminatory or unjust incidents to support any legal action you may need to take.

Focus on Health and Wellness

• Mental Health: Prioritize mental health by seeking counseling or therapy if needed, and practicing self-care.
• Physical Safety: Learn self-defense techniques and be aware of your surroundings.

Economic Empowerment

• Financial Literacy: Improve your financial literacy and stability through education and resources.
• Entrepreneurship: Support businesses owned by people of color and women, and consider entrepreneurship as a means of economic independence.

The intersectionality of race and gender means that these issues are often compounded, requiring comprehensive and intersectional approaches to address them effectively which probably won’t happen with the new administration. Taking these proactive steps can help people of color and women protect themselves and create positive change in their communities.

I have known about Kwanzaa since the late 1980s. I started participating in Kwanzaa events in college and continued when I could find them to this day. That’s the problem – Kwanzaa is hit or miss. Some years it’s really popular and other years it loses ground. We as African Americans need to be more consistent when it comes to Kwanzaa. We need to do what we can to foster African American events and history in the next four years. With schools trying to eliminate Black History, we as a people need to do more to keep it alive. I propose the Kwanzaa Initiative for 2025 (it might be too late in the season for 2024). Here are some engaging activities and events that should make Kwanzaa a 7-day celebration:

Craft Activities

Set up stations for making traditional crafts like Mkeka Mats (weave straw mats to symbolize the foundation of the community), Kinara Candle Holders (create candle holders using recycled materials) and Unity Cups (craft cups that represent unity and togetherness) to name a few.

Gift Exchange

Organize a gift exchange with a focus on handmade or meaningful gifts that reflect the values of Kwanzaa.

A 2-day weekend community event to celebrate Kwanzaa is a fantastic idea! Rent a large event space with a stage and have fun with the following:

• Storytelling and Readings center – gather around and share stories, poems, or readings that reflect the values of Kwanzaa at specific times. You can invite local African American poets, authors, and historians to read excerpts of their books.
• Family history – have a genealogist teach people how to research their family history.

• Games with prizes – plan fun games that promote the principles of Kwanzaa like – Kwanzaa Bingo (create bingo cards with Kwanzaa-related words and symbols), Kwanzaa Pictionary (divide participants into teams and play Pictionary using Kwanzaa-related words and phrases), Cultural Charades (charades with themes related to African culture, historical figures, and Kwanzaa traditions) and Kwanzaa Scavenger Hunt (create a scavenger hunt with items related to Kwanzaa and African culture. Provide clues that lead participants to find these items around the venue) and Black History Trivia (teams can test their knowledge with trivia questions about African history and culture).

• Craft activities for everyone – set up stations for making traditional crafts like paper chains, corn husk dolls and decorations, African beaded necklaces and bracelets, Adinkra stamps, African headbands, Kwanzaa coloring sheets, Kinara, Unity cups, Mkeka Mats and Family scrapbook (create a family scrapbook or memory book where participants can add photos and stories).
• Workshop on Kwanzaa – set aside time for reflection and discussion about the principles of Kwanzaa and how they can be applied in daily life. This can be a great way to foster unity and understanding within the family.

• Family Tree Poster – help participants create a family tree poster using stickers and die cuts to illustrate their family history and connections.
• Black and Brown Vendors – promote black and brown-owned local businesses and restaurants.

I don’t know about you but this sounds like a great initiative to me!

Heri za Kwanzaa (Happy Kwanzaa in Swahili)!

Happy Kwanzaa!

I have heard many complaints about patronizing Black-owned businesses. I can even co-sign to some of the negative commentary based on my own experience. Whatever the case, it is more important now than ever to support and Buy Black. If WE don’t support our own, who will? We need to get over ourselves! We need to build up and support our communities and entrepreneurs – don’t support businesses that don’t support US! Don’t know where the Black-owned businesses in your town are? Ask!

Let’s be smarter in the next few years and firmly establish a supportive community for our people.

Love, Peace and Genealogy!