The seven-day celebration of Kwanzaa offers more than just a holiday ritual. It provides a roadmap for community excellence.

Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the Civil Rights Movement. He designed this celebration to honor African American culture and promote unity.

Today, Kwanzaa’s principles speak directly to our struggles and hopes in New Orleans. These seven powerful values can guide our community toward positive change.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Umoja (Unity) calls us to stand together as family, community, and people. This principle builds strong foundations for collective action.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) empowers us to define ourselves rather than be defined by others. Through this principle, we write our own story.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) teaches us that our community’s problems belong to all of us. Together, we must find solutions.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) encourages us to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and businesses. This principle creates true economic power.

Nia (Purpose) reminds us to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Every action should build up our community.

Kuumba (Creativity) pushes us to leave our community more beautiful than we found it. Innovation drives progress.

Imani (Faith) grounds us in the righteousness of our struggle. This principle gives us strength to believe in our people.

BlackSourceMedia Commits to Ujima

At BlackSourceMedia, we see Ujima as our guiding light for 2025. Collective Work and Responsibility aligns perfectly with our mission.

Every month, we will showcase community solutions through the lens of Ujima. This principle demands action from all of us.

Our coverage already focuses on key issues like mass incarceration, education, and economic development. Ujima teaches us these challenges require everyone’s involvement.

We choose Ujima because it matches our core belief: New Orleans rises when we work together. No one stands alone in our community.

Making Ujima Work in New Orleans

BlackSourceMedia will highlight local examples of Ujima each month. We’ll feature organizations and individuals who embody collective responsibility.

Our readers will learn practical ways to practice Ujima in their daily lives. Small actions create big changes when we work together.

We’ll track community progress throughout the year. Success stories will show Ujima’s power in real time.

Join Us in This Journey

Kwanzaa’s principles offer more than seasonal celebration. They provide year-round guidance for community building.

Every story we publish will reflect Ujima’s spirit of shared responsibility. We invite you to participate in this important work.

Together, we’ll create solutions for a stronger New Orleans. Our collective effort makes real change possible.

Share your Ujima stories with us. Tell us how you’re working to improve our community.

BlackSourceMedia commits to this principle because we believe in our city’s potential. Through Ujima, we’ll build the New Orleans we deserve.

Let’s make Kwanzaa’s wisdom work for us every day. The time for collective action is now.

Visit BlackSourceMedia.com regularly for updates on our Ujima journey. Your voice and actions matter in this important work.