Kwanzaa 2017: A Year End Retrospective

(Original Post Date: December 2017)

Kwanzaa has seven core principles, or Nguzo Saba. The following represents my application of the principles over the last year:

Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

• Talked to my eldest brother three times this year without the conversation descending into an argument

• Hosted a joint SisterGather with Red Moon Lodge  

• Guest appeared on First Edition w/ Sean Yoes, Radio on Fire  w/ Diamond K, Keeping it "Real Estate" with Loretta and Karen

Kujichagulia (Self Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

• Using my Facebook page, posts and video as a means of expression of who, what and whose am I hence the #OfficeOfSuperBlackness, #AuditYourLife  and #QueenOfThots tags

• Continuing genealogical research

• Continuing implementation of plan for career change

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and solve them together.

• Collaborating with Intentional Community Building Collective, The Living Well and Leader's a Beautiful Struggles to plan the Black Panther Movie Premiere Party

• Collaborated with Community Healing Network to support Emotional Emancipation Circle work

• Collaborated with The Living Well team to produce events, classes and products that will enable conscious expansion, soulful expression and economic vibrancy  

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

• Maintaining membership in Appeal

• Maintaining subscriptions to Ujimaa Box, Kweli TV

• Supporting local Black owned businesses thru Good Tree Patrons Club

• Contracted with a Black Owned company to develop the MVP for Fight Blight Bmore

• Hiring and Consulting with Black Owned Companies on a Housing Renovation Project

Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness

• Completed Sankofa Emma, Women’s Rites of Passage

• Started the process to become a  Host Home through St Ambrose Housing Aid Center

• Provided testimony on the Prohibiting Handguns Near Public Places of Public Assembly and at the Community Development Block Grant preliminary Hearing

Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

• Conceived a number of #HoodHacks including Adopt- A- Water Bill

• Co Choreographed w/ Mya Ajanku a dance piece "Shake It Off"  highlighting the resilience of Black Women performed at Calling Oya during Free Fall Baltimore, (show produced by Kutia Juwara)

• Designed a dress and styling myself for MSU Homecoming 2017 (SHOUTOUT to the Pear Shaped Seamstress)

Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

• Hosted the 5th Annual Ogun Day in the Park

• Attended Ile Arira’s Oya Festival, Temple of Nyame’s Annual Healing Ritual. Ankobea’s Youth Rites Outdooring/ Graduation

• Releasing primary responsibility for adult child to their own self determination

• Completed implementation of 20 year plan from 1997