Ms. Ginny is My Grandmother
My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Earcie Bodiford Ginwright, a life-long Alabamian, taught me more about African values than my African study and Swahili language classes taught me. I moved from Alabama … Continue reading
Coco Cooks Reflects on Kujichagulia… Self Determination
As a caterer, I never set out to be known, defined, or limited as a female black owned business. The other day the wife of a European dignitary who hired … Continue reading
West African Chicken by BlackHealthMatters.com
African Americans have poor health outcomes on nearly every disease index; we’re either at higher risk for developing an illness or we die from it in greater numbers. While access … Continue reading
Celebrating Nia: Past, Present, Future
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Nia. Purpose. I have, for a … Continue reading
Kujichagulia or Self-Determination: To Define Ourselves, Name Ourselves, Create for Ourselves and Speak for Ourselves
To create for ourselves is one of the most important concepts that I take away from Kwanzaa. I strongly believe that we as a people should be growing, producing and … Continue reading
Pineapple Upside Down Hummingbird Cake
From an early age, I was deeply immersed in the culture and celebration of Kwanzaa. I used to perform in a children’s dance company called New Life, which was rooted … Continue reading
Sweet Potato, Caramelized Shallots, Smoked Mozzarella Pizza with Wilted Arugula
It was the Senegambians who were brought in to grow cotton, tobacco, rice and other grains and corn. They were also expert fishermen, blacksmiths, woodworkers and hunters. Having a legendary … Continue reading
Creamy Cheesy Yellow Grits with Roast Brussel Sprouts and Sausage
Thank the Native American tribes located in Southern United States for introducing early American settlers to grits, a common breakfast made from corn. Eventually, descendants of African slaves would turn … Continue reading
“Potato Mash” is to the Western World as “Foufou” is to West Africans
As a kid, I remember having to learn the meaning of things through association with other similar things. It was a fun way to learn and is actually quite an … Continue reading
Family, Friends and Haitian Rice
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. I am—well, I guess—I was the grinch. But, not in the obvious ways, and quite honestly this realization came to me as … Continue reading
Kwanzaa: Using Food and Heritage to Make Meaning
Those of us who celebrate Kwanzaa face a lot of ribbing, good natured and otherwise, often questioning the authenticity and meaning of the holiday. As they say in Nigeria, “Let … Continue reading
Ladies who Lunch, Make Kadak Chai
As I sit to write this, my mind is buzzing with thoughts from the excitement of the day. I am dying to share them with you. But I pause. Something … Continue reading
The Principled Baker + Orange Scented Cherry White Chocolate Cookies
Baking is a precise art. It’s about measurements, precise temperatures and timing. If any of these are the slightest bit off, your prize winning recipe can become a disaster. No … Continue reading
Guiding principles: Reflecting on Food, Identity and African-Diaspora Relations
Having been born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Kwanzaa is not a celebration I know much about. As I learn about the related principles and practices, I reflect on how … Continue reading
African Jewel Rooibos Tea Cake
The principle of Ujamaa-Cooperative economics, to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and profit from them together, is one that has been ever present in my … Continue reading
Life and Collard Greens
Life is all about community. If you were touched by something someone said or did for you and you haven’t done it yet… stop. Stop right now and let them … Continue reading
Understanding Kujichagulia: A Journey Into Self-Awareness
We face neither East nor West; we face Forward. by Kwame Nkrumah Kujichagulia (pron: koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) is the guiding principle of the second day of Kwanzaa. Defined as self-determination, it affirms … Continue reading
Black People, Obama and the Kwanzaa Dilemma
This article is republished with the author’s, Albert Phillips, permission. It was originally posted here. As we slowly ease off the uneasy stomachs caused by Thanksgiving and the overdrawn bank accounts … Continue reading
In Closing: Make Kwanzaa a Family Affair
The celebration of Kwanzaa has been an important tradition in my family for several years. In this article, I will discuss its historical development in my own family and why … Continue reading
Creative Giving for the Improving the Community
Celebrating Kwanzaa was not a ritual practiced by my family; in fact, I had no idea what Kwanzaa meant. While obtaining my degree in Africana Studies from NCSU, I learned … Continue reading
