kwanzaa
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Having Faith: Giving Back in the Spirit of Imani, the Seventh Day of Kwanzaa
Having faith in those around us is the backbone of building community. In a year that has kicked Black people down over and over again, it is crucial that on Imani, the seventh day of Kwanzaa, we continue to build faith in the places that build up the community around us. The following places focus…
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Finding Purpose Through Literature on Nia, the Fifth Day of Kwanzaa
The best way to educate ourselves is by listening to those around us with shared and different experiences. Each person serves a different purpose in this world, and it is important to pay attention to what they say. The fifth night of Kwanzaa represents Nia, or purpose. In a time when we can’t attend talks…
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Representing Black Businesses on Ujamaa, the Fourth Night of Kwanzaa
The fourth day of Kwanzaa represents Cooperative Economics and how we can come together to support Black businesses under one roof. Black marketplaces have been growing and become a collective space for people to display their work with other businesses and creators. Ujamaa embodies community and collective work while supporting Black businesses. africaboutik africaboutik.us is…
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It's Kwanzaa Time! And ABF Creative Has the Perfect Podcast to Enjoy the Holiday With a New Twist
Christmas might be in the rearview, but Kwanzaa is in full swing—as evidenced by our gift guides and ongoing writeups here at The Root. And as we celebrate our community and culture while abiding by each of the Seven Principles, you might be surprised to learn that there’s a new podcast on deck putting a…
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Collective Work and Responsibility–7 Gifts for Wellness on the Third Night of Kwanzaa
For Ujima, the celebration of the third night of Kwanzaa, we look towards how we can incorporate collective work and responsibility into our lives. It is imperative that we continue to take care of ourselves and others as this year comes to a close and find a way to do it as an individual and…
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Habari Gani? This Kwanzaa, We’re Celebrating All the Beautiful and Resilient Blackness We Saw in 2020
Kwanzaa is a Black holiday that takes place between December 26 and January 1 each year, during which Black people are encouraged to celebrate their community, culture, and kinship including by reflecting on the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba, that characterize some of our shared values as a people. In keeping with The Root tradition…
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The Second Night Of Kwanzaa Brings Us Kujichagulia. Here Are 7 Gifts For Self-Determination
We all know that it takes a whole lot more than a New Year’s resolution to get yourself back in shape after overindulging on seasonal treats and the insanity that was 2020. Good thing the second night of Kwanzaa, Kujichagulia, represents self-determination. In order to nurture this determination, gifting yourself or others one of these…
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Ready for the First Night of Kwanzaa? Here Are 7 Gifts Perfect For Umoja
The first night of Kwanzaa marks the beginning of a celebration of Blackness and the power of coming together. After having spent the majority of 2020 stuck inside with my family, I can safely say that we are all closer than ever. Umoja (unity) is about creating and fostering strength between parents and children, within…
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This Holiday Season, Try These 13 Festive Feasts and Drinks from Black Chefs
As we settle in to spend another holiday at home, it’s hard to imagine what in the world we’re supposed to cook. Are we expected to go big and bold because it’s Christmas, which should be cause for celebration? Or are we finding a place that delivers in hope that it lives up to any…
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Kinaras Stay Lit: Unpacking the Future of Kwanzaa in the Black Community
“It doesn’t matter if only one person celebrates [Kwanzaa]. It is part of African-American history and in a way that suggests that it’s permanent, it’s never going away.” —Keith A. Mayes, Ph.D. text It’s that time of year again! While we all know that Christmas is the Beyoncé of holidays, among the trifecta of December…