The older I get, the more I appreciate connecting with friends and family who are aligned with my vision and values. In 2023, I also enjoyed hosting small gatherings in my home. And for the second year in a row, I’ve been able to marry my love for connecting with friends and family with my commitment to celebrate Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an opportunity to honor African heritage and commit ourselves to its 7 principles. The principles of Kwanzaa are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics) Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). In the spirit of collective work and responsibility, I hosted numerous small business owners and two speakers to share their learnings with our group.
Great Speakers
The Dec. 27 celebration was so much fun. Our speakers – Chelsea Elliot and Kyle Strickland – were inspiring and engaging. Elliot is an author and social-emotional learning expert. She spoke with parents about how to nurture our children’s voice and agency. Elliot also touched on the importance of teaching children how to advocate for themselves by practicing self-advocacy in the home. Her remarks were so uplifting.
Strickland leads the Roosevelt Institute at the Kirwain Institute at The Ohio State University. Kyle spoke at our 2022 Kwanzaa event, and like last year, blew our audience away. He taught our young people about taking risks, the importance of mentorship, and the importance of never giving up. Although I’ve heard him speak before, I was so moved by his remarks.
Good Food
I value food that looks and tastes good, and ordered a beautiful, Kwanzaa-themed cake from Kennedy’s Kakes. It was as delicious as it was decadent. For the second year in a row, I ordered bedazzling Kwanzaa-themed cookies from the Original Goodie Shop in Upper Arlington. The cookies were reliably delicious. My friend Kenpiya Fompun-Joseph, founder of The Buckeye Grazing Co., catered the event. She brought three different charcuterie boards – nuts and cookie board, a vegetable charcuterie board and a fruit, crackers, cheese, and meats board.
The event was a potluck, and which allows both guests and hosts to participate in making the event a success. I’m especially excited about the Champagne my friend Wanjiku gave me – it is right on time given the New Year Holiday.
In addition to the teaching and fellowship, I was honored that my guests felt my home was inviting and warm. It was a blessing to hearing the voices of children, and the pitter patter of their feet running through the house. I closed my eyes last night with joy in my heart and gratitude on my mind.
