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Theme: Sankofa – Reclaiming Our Roots, Proclaiming Our Future.
Each day we reach back, remember, and rise.
26
Umoja
(Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Sankofa Message: Return to our beginnings of community. Today, we reach back to the strength of togetherness — the way our ancestors gathered, built, and survived as one. We remember that our unity is our power. We rise by standing together.
27
Kujichagulia
(Self Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Sankofa Message: Define ourselves by remembering who we are. Today, we reach back to the names, languages, and traditions that defined who we are. We remember that we have the right and responsibility to define ourselves. We rise by claiming our identity.
28
Ujima
(Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.
Sankofa Message: Our ancestors built together — we must too. Today, we reach back to the cooperative spirit that built our churches, schools, and communities. We remember that our progress depends on shared effort. We rise by working together to uplift one another.
29
Ujamaa
(Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Sankofa Message: Look back at the markets and merchants who sustained us. Today, we reach back to the spirit of our community markets and mutual aid. We remember how our ancestors supported each other’s livelihoods. We rise by circulating our blessings among our people.
30
Nia
(Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Our purpose is rooted in ancestral vision. Today, we reach back to the dreams and sacrifices of those who came before us. We remember that we are here on purpose, for purpose. We rise by continuing the work they began.
31
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.
Sankofa Message: Return to the art forms that told our stories. Today, we reach back to the rhythms, art, and expressions that told our stories. We remember that creativity is both healing and resistance. We rise by creating beauty that honors our heritage.
1
Imani
(Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Sankofa Message: Our faith carried us through — we must remember. Today, we reach back to the unwavering faith that sustained our ancestors through every storm. We remember that believing in ourselves and our future is an act of power. We rise by trusting in that same faith.
Reflection:
The Sankofa reminds us that to move forward, we must know from where we’ve come. As we celebrate Kwanzaa, we honor our ancestors not only in remembrance but in continuation. Their legacy lives through our unity, creativity, purpose, and faith.