The second day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 27, honors Kujichagulia, or self-determination.
It emphasizes the importance of defining and controlling one’s own life, especially in the context of the Black community. Self-determination is about making choices that reflect the values, interests and needs of the community, rather than conforming to external pressures or dominant cultural norms.
It encourages individuals to assert their agency, engage in collective decision-making and work together for the common good. This principle is deeply rooted in African social and spiritual teachings, promoting a sense of unity, purpose and responsibility within the community.
Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, educator and Brooklyn resident whose work centers Black history, collective memory and self-determination.
Best known as the creator of The 1619 Project, Hannah-Jones has reshaped national conversations about race, democracy and whose stories are valued in American life.
Her commitment to community-rooted knowledge is also reflected in her role as a co-founder of North Star Books, a Black-owned bookstore and cultural hub opening in Bed-Stuy.
The space is designed to be more than a bookstore, serving as a gathering place for dialogue, learning and cultural affirmation.
BK Reader reported on the opening of North Star Books in Dec.
Beginning on Dec. 26 and for the seven days of Kwanzaa, BK Reader will feature a different local resident or organization that exemplifies one of the seven principles.
Hannah-Jones’ work reflects Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) — defining, naming and speaking for ourselves through journalism, education and community-building rooted in Brooklyn.
