Katura J. Hudson

I don’t remember being told, “we’re going to start celebrating Kwanzaa.” We just did. I think I was 12.  Kinara in place. New terms trying to roll off the tongue.  “Habari Gani.” “Umoja.” “Kujichagulia.” That was my favorite one to practice. Karamu at the Wesleys’. Forming a big circle and calling out the names of our ancestors.  And a few years later, leading Kwanzaa celebrations at church because as I often had to explain, yes, you can be Christian and celebrate Kwanzaa too.  Whether you officially celebrate Kwanzaa or not, I hope we all take inspiration from the Nguzo Saba or seven principles that are its foundation. (Learn about them here) HARAMBEE!! (Let’s pull together) Photo description: Celebrating Ujamaa: me, my friend Maisha, her mom "Mama J," and my mom during one of our many mother-daughter get togethers. The four of us are standing behind a lit kinara.

Author-illustrator Rashad Malik Davis had the generous idea to celebrate Black entrepreneurs in a new IG Live series called  25 Days of Buying Black. He invited me to join and to my surprise, I agreed!  We chatted about writing and marketing, favorite books, and supporting Black-owned businesses. Somehow we ended up talking about getting our scalps greased too. It was a good time! You can watch the replay on his IG.