Habari Gani Good People?! What’s the good news? Kuumba!!
Today we light the sixth candle and celebrate my second favorite principle 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.”
The principle has both a social and spiritual dimension and is deeply rooted in African societies social and sacred teachings.
Having creativity requires a few things – motivation and inspiration! What I can definitely say with pride is my people practically ooze creativity, just look at social media, in the classrooms, on television… every day all day!! The creative minds of Black folks have birthed ground-breaking inventions, culture-shaping entertainment and fashion, and new ways of healing and uplifting the community.
I will say this Black folks have no shortage of creativity!! Everything from TikTok, to dance routines, to food recipes, to acting, to new games, fashion, shaping entertainment, and so much more!!
In the spirit of Kuumba, check out some of these Black Creatives stories:
Think about this for a moment…What creative skills do you have that can help build your community? Maybe it’s something you do with your hands, maybe it’s writing a proposal, managing the books as an accountant, or leading a team.
As a reminder, on this day it is customary to host a large feast called Karamu, which can be held at home, a community center, or a church. The menu usually features foods and ingredients native to the African continent such as yams, okra, tamarind, peanuts, collard greens, and hibiscus.
Where do I begin…2023 was another year to remember! It’s nothing like looking back on what happened in the world, what things I accomplished, where I’ve been, and what is in store. This is an opportunity to reflect on ALL that 2023 had to offer!! Traditions were made and carried over…tears were shed of joy and sadness…many lessons learned…new friendships made!! Now I know I will not cover everything but just think of this as an extended highlight reel.
So let us begin….
If I could describe 2023 in three words I would say Patience…Process…Breathe. These three words were very much applicable to me and all aspects of my life, and I would even argue to this year!!
Jumping right out the gate…AI has arrived no more hovering in the shadows. Not gonna say too much but not sure how this is all gonna shake out. Let’s just say it has shaken up a whole bunch of stuff. A part of me is like oooooo, and the other is like uh oh!
Continuing in this vein of the not sure where this is going, oh my, disappointments, and fails I’ll just drop a few names Elon Musk/X, The Flash movie, “Dilbert” cartoonist Scott Adams, Jason Aldean, Diddy, The Idol on Max, Jonathan Majors, Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare”, Ozempic, George Santos, the Met Gala cockroach, Jann Wenner, and how about 15 votes to pick a speaker of the House (for him to be later booted out)…trust me there are more, but I will spare you….
How about that Super Bowl performance from Rhianna and then the baby bump reveal?!? A new monarch and the coronation of Charles III, Damar Hamlin’s injury shaking the entire country on the first Monday of the 2023, Keith Lee vs. The City of Atlanta, Barbenheimer, Jeremy Renner being critically injured by his own snowplow, The Mega Millions jackpot tipped over $1 billion, Turkey and Syria were struck by a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake, India became the fourth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon, can’t forget the Montgomery Boat Brawl (will never look at folding chairs the same), Samara Joy earning the Grammy ‘Best New Artist’, no more cheap streaming, and then let me drop this mic…André 3000’s flute album [Listening to it as I type…Simply EPIC]!!
And one of my favorite movies of the year dropped this year Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!! And I will say this with confidence the BEST Spider-Man movie (both animated and live action)…I will fight you for it!
In some #BlackGirlMagic news …. Missy Elliot and Chaka Khan were induced in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Missy’s becoming the 1st female hip-hop artist to be enshrined. It was announced that Ida B. Wells and Althea Gibson will be featured on the US quarters in 2025. Issa Rae dropped her new prosecco ‘Viarae’. America’s first gourmet biscuit brand is a Black woman-owned business, “Mama’s Biscuits”. Dove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launched the “Code My Crown” initiative (a guide for coding textured hair and protective styles in video games). Racha Tahani Lawler-Queen made history in Virginia opening the state’s first Black-owned birthing center, Gather Grounded Midwifery [Richmond]. Fisk University made history not just with the first HBCU gymnastics team but also in hosting a meet with all Black women coaches. And in wildlife news, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant became the first Black woman in the U.S. to ever host a wildlife show on broadcast television, NBC’s Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.
Much like the years before, there was plenty to celebrate in 2023! Professionally, I would see several publications become available to the masses ranging from book chapters edited collections, an article on Black Gamers and Black Girls finding space in comic books, and several book reviews. I’d be featured in various media outlets while continuing to serve my community. I was selected as a Faculty Mentor Fellow for the VCU Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship and a Humanities Research Center Residential Fellow-Health & Medical Humanities…both of these fellowships I get to continue the work that I do on Black female representation in comics, media, and popular culture. I’m also building my mentorship and community networks. 2023 would also present several #ProudProfessorMoments, especially seeing my AFAM students participate in the VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity!! This among many other events would be reflected in being awarded the 2022-23 VCU Faculty Champion Award! Throughout this year, I continued to do work on my IG site “Black Girl Magic in Media” and even created a new site that focuses on the statements I make (professionally and personally) through fashion “DrGsTShirtCollection”. In addition to the fellowships, I would present at various conferences all across the U.S. Strides are being made and I’m excited about what is coming next in 2024…A few things in the works that I’m crossing my fingers on!!
Personally, I celebrated my 20th Delta Anniversary of being an illustrious member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and graduating from Clark Atlanta University (Go Panthers!!) Wow does time fly!! I got a chance to travel to Raleigh, NC to see the Ruth E. Carter exhibit “Afrofuturism in Costume and Design” as well as the AWESOME “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” exhibits both in Washington, DC. During the early spring, I served as the first keynote speaker for CulpeperCon (Culpeper, VA) as well as participate in numerous events in the 757 area of Virginia centered on Afrofuturism and comics. To jumpstart my summer, I got an opportunity to go camping in West Virginia (nothing like being in nature) and visit the historical site of Storer College (an HBCU in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, that operated from 1867 to 1955). And I started a new tradition of attending other HBCU Homecoming celebrations so that I can see how my fellow HBCU grads get it in!!
With 2023 being as one of my friends called it “The Jordan Year” I cannot help but think about how this year is like a four-quarter game of your favorite sport. There are multiple chances to get ahead, fall behind, and even come out as the winner. And speaking of sports, there were a lot of FIRSTS and REPEATS! This year we got to see the Denver Nuggets celebrate their first NBA championship, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII, Brittney Griner made her reappearance in the WNBA after being detained in Russia for almost a year, The Vegas Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup in only their sixth NHL season, Simone Biles makes history at the US Gymnastics Championships with her 8th all-around title [further cementing that she truly is a G.O.A.T.], Coco Gauff wins the women’s singles at the US Open, the Las Vegas Aces win the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty becoming the first repeat WNBA champions in 21 years, and the Texas Rangers win their first World Series in franchise history, just to name a few!
We went through a historical SAG-AFTRA (suspended its 118-day strike on November 9) and Writer’s Guild of America strike (suspended its 148-day strike on September 27) and for a minute we were almost at a standstill with television and film. However, even with the strike in effect, several shows shined through in 2023 that are definitely worth mentioning:
Found (NBC)
The Irrational (NBC)
Justified: City Primeval (FX)
Class of ’09 (FX)
The Bear (FX)
Hijack (Apple TV+)
The After Party (Apple TV+)
Special Ops: Lioness (Paramount +)
Lawman: Bass Reeves (Paramount +)
The Chi (Showtime)
Billions (Showtime)
Winning Time: The Rise of Lakers Dynasty (Max)
The Gilded Age (Max)
Rap Sh!T (Max)
Lupin (Netflix)
Beef (Netflix)
They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
Loki (Disney+)
Rye Lane (Hulu)
Poker Face (Peacock)
The Continental (Peacock)
With the conclusion of several great series like Succession, Billions, Snowfall, Jack Ryan, and Loki I can only hope there will be more greatness in store for 2024!!
In the music world, Beyoncé went on her Renaissance World Tour (highest grossing to date) and let’s just say folks are STILL talking about it. She put new meaning to “traveling for what you want to see!” Ohhhhh and let me tell you about the NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series, they were killing it with the features this year!! I was like a kid in the candy store every time I got an alert on YouTube!! Some of my faves for 2023 you can check out below:
2023 was also a HUGE celebration for Hip Hop! As we know Hip Hop is not just a genre of music but a WHOLE MOVEMENT!! It would start with a Questlove curated a hip hop tribute at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Hot 97-WBLS hosted the Hip-Hop Forever concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium, Boom Bap Atlanta: Hip Hop 50 Fest, the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s (NMAAHC) hosted its annual Hip-Hop Block Party in Washington, DC, the Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle, WA) would showcase an exhibit Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, along with a host of events all around the world. Closing out the year of hip-hop celebration, it was a true treat to see Queen Latifah become a part of the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors!
Shifting gears…Self-care…This year I was more intentional about making sure I listened to my body more while taking care of it. I have said it before, I’m no spring chicken and my body has definitely reminded me of that recently. Starting over the summer I began booking monthly appointments for 60-minute full-body massages (Shout out to my girlfriends Antoinette and Shermaine). And MY GOD they have worked miracles!! Every month is a heavenly treat! That on top of my monthly loc maintenance appointments are just a few things that have become a part of the regular self-care routine. In 2024, I am hoping to add a few more things.
In addition to stepping up my self-care game, I plan to continue collecting more stamps on the passport. Now one thing that I got to do this year, which I LOVE, is travel (especially internationally)! Can’t quite pick a fave place but going to Tanzania and Curacao definitely warrants a return visit! You can check out my blog travels here!! I look forward to traveling the world even more in 2024 ( I already have a few more places planned)!
Switching gears to the music scene, I definitely got my fill of concerts….Catching Dru Hill, Jodeci, and SWV in Birmingham….Going to see Lauryn Hill in Denver for the 25th Anniversary of The Mis-Education of Lauryn Hill album tour (definitely one of the lucky ones)…Witnessing the greatness of Lakeside, Jermaine Dupri, Big Boi, and a repeat performance of SWV at Hampton’s Homecoming…All the way live!!
Now I will say there are several events that I am looking forward to in 2024 especially as it relates to Las Vegas Residencies. Here are a couple that I plan to put on my calendar:
Jodeci: The Show, The Party, The Las Vegas Residency
New Edition: Las Vegas
With the popularity of Usher’s residency, it seems like Vegas is becoming the HOT SPOT again!
This year we also lost a great many icons, many of which surprised me and hit me to my core. It never gets easier, but I do continue to be thankful for the legacies that they leave.
Fred White (January 1st)
Lisa Marie Presley (January 12th)
David Jude Jolicoeur ‘Trugoy the Dove’ (February 12th)
This year I celebrated turning “42” my Jackie Robinson year! Another year of blessings and good times with family and friends! I will always be grateful for life and another day to live it!!
Ahhhhh so before this post comes to a close I look forward to implementing a couple of new themes to guide me through the year… #FocusForward and #LightsCameraAction !! Stay tuned for how this will come to fruition!
So as we count down these last few days of 2023 I cannot help but think, Come on in 2024!!
Today, we light the fifth candle and celebrate Nia (Purpose). This is one of my favorite principles of Kwanzaa!! Through Nia, the principal seeks “to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”
No matter what your purpose looks like or feels like, the principle of Nia reminds us that the ways we choose to use our time and our talents will reflect on the legacy that we leave!
In thinking about how you can reflect on Nia, consider these few practices:
Reflect on finding your purpose in life outside of your career
Add some books and movies that educate you about your ancestry and your history
Set short-term and long-term goals that will set you and your community on a path toward a more intentional and purpose-driven life.
“You were uniquely designed for success in your purpose. When you align your life with your strengths—those innate qualities you were gifted with—you will tap into a level of grace that empowers you to achieve things you could never accomplish in your strength alone.” ~Valorie Burton, in Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make you Happier, Healthier and More Resilient
As I always ask myself, what’s your purpose in life for today and in the future?
On this day we light the fourth candle and celebrate Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics),“to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.“
As noted on the official Kwanzaa website, Ujamaa embodies shared work and wealth, economic self-reliance, and obligation of generosity. Dr. Karenga notes, “To share wealth and work, then, is to share concern, care, and responsibility for a new, more human and fulfilling future”.
Growing up in Champaign, I would learn about Kwanzaa from my aunt Vernessa. I looked forward to this time of the year because I got to spend time with my cousins, eat some good food, and get a few gifts! Over time Kwanzaa has become an integral part of who I am and what I do. Considering all of the Black-led nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy organizations, I continue to further understand Kwanzaa’s importance as a way to recognize the strength of Black communities despite systemic pressures that are meant to break us.
For many, the principle Ujamaa emphasizes the importance of folks supporting Black-owned businesses, helping each other thrive economically, sharing helpful financial information, amassing generational wealth, and giving back. All in all, when we think about what we know from Black Wall Street to Black-owned cooperations to the Black collectives, Black folks have been resisting in the spirit of Ujamaa for centuries!
To get you in the spirit check out this trailer below for the OWN limited series, “Rebuilding Black Wall Street”!
Harambee!! Let’s all work together!!
And remember this year’s Kwanzaa theme is… “Kwanzaa, Freedom, Justice and Peace: Principles and Practices For A New World”
Today we light the third candle to celebrate Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)!! This means “to build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.”
Through Ujima we recognize the fact that without collective work and struggle, progress is impossible and liberation is a far distant memory. This is when we must truly embody the idea of “it takes a village.”
On this day, I reflect on the impact of those we lost this year, especially those who made such a great impact on our local, national, and global communities. Their commitment and efforts to the cause will always be remembered. One can only hope we continue to be inspired to follow in their footsteps and build on their legacies!
Now when thinking about how you can celebrate Ujima today, consider teaming up with members of your neighborhood to help renovate a community center, offer to shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk, or even just help out around the house more often.
As a way of sharing with my community, here are a few events coming up that are celebrating the Kwanzaa holiday!
Detroit, MI-The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
December 28th… 12 – 3 p.m. | Kinara Lighting Ceremony & Intergenerational Family Programming at The Wright Kinara lighting ceremony with Xavier Jack; Storytime with Tatjana Jackson; Face Painting with Sandra Epps, and screening of Black Panther; all day Kwanzaa food drive … 5 – 7 p.m. | Kwanzaa Celebration Cultural Showcase with Let’s Get Tribal at The Wright
Richmond, VA Capital City Kwanzaa Festival (Greater Richmond Convention Center)
December 30th… 1-7 pm With a theme of “Legacy As Balance”, this year’s festival includes entertainment, food, and events to embrace and teach the significance of the Kwanzaa holiday. Activities include a lighting of the Kinara, an African Market, workshops, performances, and Watoto Kwanzaa, especially for children.
Atlanta/Stonecrest, GA-New Black Wall Street Market
December 30th…12-6 pm Taste of the Diaspora Each year, through a wonderful display of flags and cuisine students learn and share their knowledge of Kwanzaa and the power of the African Diaspora. Show your support to the students and explore the wonderful, richness of our common ancestry through food!
To close out today, check out some fun facts about Kwanzaa below:
The holiday began to see greater public recognition as the first Kwanzaa stamp, designed by Synthia Saint James, was issued by the United States Post Office in 1997
On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, there is the Karamu feast which is a joyous gathering that transcends culinary delights, embodying the spirit of community and shared celebration. Families and communities come together to celebrate abundance and unity by feasting on traditional African and African-American dishes. Karamu provides a platform for storytelling, laughter, and cultural exchange in addition to the culinary experience. [Typical Kwanzaa foods include corn, yams, avocado, dates, beans, greens, rice, and okra dishes.]
Kwanzaa ceremonies were initially held primarily on college campuses and in Black churches. College campuses, which serve as hotspots for activism and cultural expression, were early adopters of Kwanzaa celebrations. Additionally, Black churches further embraced the celebration as a way to foster cultural identity and unity.
Remember, “the challenge of history and culture then, is through collective work and responsibility, to restore that which was damaged or destroyed, and to raise up and reconstruct.”
It’s that time of year again when I share my Top Books of the Year! And once again the books do not disappoint. I am always thankful when I get some leisure reading in, especially with my busy schedule. Whether it’s on the plane, sitting poolside or by the beach, or while I’m under the hairdryer reading something new or revisiting a classic is very much necessary.
As an extra bonus a few of the books on this year’s list even got turned into Hulu and Netflix television series, now that’s pretty exciting!
So without further ado (in no particular order), check out Dr. G’s Top 23 Books of 2023!
As I always like to say ‘Happy Reading’ and make sure you support your local bookstores!! Look forward to sharing with you all in 2024!!
Habari Gani!! What’s the news today?! Today’s principle of the Nguzo Saba is Kujichagulia which means SELF-DETERMINATION!! More specifically it is translated as “to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.”
In regards to Kujichagulia Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga notes, “In a time in which occupation and oppression of countries and peoples are immorally presented as necessary and even salvational, the principle of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) rejects this and reaffirms the right of persons and peoples to determine their own destiny and daily lives; to live in peace and security; and to flourish in freedom everywhere.”
Consider these three questions as you embody Kujichaguilia:
1. Who am I? 2. Am I really who I say I am? 3. Am I all that I ought to be?
Have a conversation (with yourself, or with another person) about what truths you want to live into in this coming year.
Now what really hits home for me about Kujichagulia is that it truly has a personal meaning. Reflecting on this past year, can you identify ways your self-determination paid off? How did you take more control over your life?
So are you ready to channel your self-determination?
We are just a few short days from entering 2024, but I still got a few trailers to share before we leave! While this may be the last week of 2023, remember the trailers never end, they just continue forward. So let’s see what is in store as we finish out these last few days of 2023…
Check them out below:
Self Reliance (Streming on Hulu January 12, 2024)
Origin (In theaters January 19, 2024)
The Kitchen (Streaming on Netflix January 19, 2024)
Expats (Streaming on Prime Video January 26, 2024)
Shōgun (Streaming on FX February 2024)
Argylle (In theaters February 2, 2024)
The Regime (Streaming on Max March 3, 2024)
The American Society Of Magical Negroes (In theaters March 22, 2024)
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Streaming on Netflix Summer 2024)
Habari Gani!! We have come to that time of year again, a time to celebrate an annual tradition of family, community, and culture!! So you ask what time it is…It’s Kwanzaa Time !!
Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana/Black Studies it’s a 7-day cultural festival beginning on December 26th and ends January 1st. Kwanzaa comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means “first fruits” in Swahili, an Eastern African language spoken in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Karenga wanted a way to bring African Americans together to remember Black culture.
While Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, especially in the Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of African descendants. It should also be noted that Kwanzaa is not a political or religious holiday, and is not considered to be a substitute for Christmas.
During this holiday celebration, families and communities “organize activities around the Nguzo Saba” (The Seven Principles):
In addition to the seven principles there are a total of nine symbols (in Swahili and English) that make up Kwanzaa:
Mazao (The Crops): These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.
Mkeka (The Mat): This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.
Kinara (The Candle Holder): This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people — continental Africans.
Muhindi (The Corn): This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.
Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup):This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.
Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles): These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.
Zawadi (The Gifts): These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.
Bendera (The Flag): The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are colors of the Organization Us, black, red and green – black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future that comes from their struggle. The Bendera is based on the national flag given to us by the Hon. Marcus Garvey, with slight adjustments in order and interpretation of the colors made in the 1960s along with many African countries.
Nguzo Saba Poster: The Nguzo Saba poster or some form of the written Nguzo Saba should always be a part of the Kwanzaa set. For it is these Seven Principles which give Kwanzaa its core and seven days of cultural focus.
Each symbol “represents values and concepts reflective of African culture and contributive to community building and reinforcement.”
During this Kwanzaa celebration, I look forward to sharing a little knowledge on each principle and what you can do to take part in this welcoming tradition!! Make sure you stay tuned!!
Today’s principle is UMOJA which means UNITY!! What are you doing today to strive and maintain unity in our families, communities, nations, and the world!! #UMOJA#Celebration#Affirmation
How you can embody UMOJA today is by being kind to your sisters and brothers in order to help keep your family and community strong and happy?!
For more information check out the following links:
Black Future Feminist 