Habari Gani? Kuumba!

Creativity is a Principle that underscores all the other Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia and Imani. Historically, Black people have used the Principle of Creativity to solve problems, for innovations and to elevate ordinary things to amazing things. Here are just a few ways Black people have used Kuumba to make America great:

• During times of enslavement, African-Americans used coded messages in songs of faith. The structure of these songs were used in blues songs, which as we know have influenced most genres of contemporary popular music.
• Soul food.
• The Lexicon. American newscasters, screenplays, and co-workers sound much different than they did many years ago because of the influence of Black Creativity. Words like “bling” are in the Oxford English Dictionary. African-American derived words are so completely baked into American culture that even the most uptight of reporters and colleagues now regularly pepper their speech with phrases like “the bomb” without a soupçon of hesitation.

Kwanzaa Heads Up If you are feeling inspired and motivated as you reflect on the Nguzo Saba, the Sixth and Seventh days of Kwanzaa are excellent times to plan. Today or tomorrow, consider creating a vision board or writing a goals list.