Black History Media

Celebrating Kwanzaa: Umoja

Beginning Monday, January 1, 2023, Art, Trade & Lifestyle will be launching Black History Media. Our goal in developing Black History Media is to create a platform that is readily accessible in providing stories of Black History that are known and stories that are not as widely known as others by using digital media.

Today is the first day of Kwanzaa, a seven-day celebration founded by Maulana Ndabezitha Karenga. Kwanzaa is Swahili for “matunda ya kwanza” meaning “first fruit. Founded in 1966 after the Watts riots to help bring Black Americans together to celebrate together history, values, family, community, and culture. We will be counting down to Black History Media’s launching by celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa.

Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles), each of the seven days and seven valuable principles of Kwanzaa. The Black candle represents the people. The red candles represent the struggle and the green candles represent the future and the hope that comes from their struggle.

1. Umoja (Unity [Black Candle])
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination [Red Candle])
3. Ujima (Collective work and responsibility [Red Candle])
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics [Red Candle])
5. Nia (Purpose [Green Candle])
6. Kuumba (Creativity [Green Candle])
7. Imani (Faith [Green Candle])

Today’s principle is Umoja (Unity), meaning “To strive for and to maintain unity in the family and community.”