As affordability worsens for working families and diversity efforts face mounting challenges, Black communities continue to absorb the impact. That is what makes the return of Kwanzaa Crawl to Brooklyn on Friday, Dec. 26, more relevant than ever.
Now in its ninth year, Kwanzaa Crawl has grown into New York City’s largest cultural and economic event dedicated to Black-owned businesses.
More than 4,000 participants are expected to take over Brooklyn streets on Dec. 26, visiting over 15 Black-owned bars and restaurants throughout the borough. In 2024 alone, Kwanzaa Crawl generated more than $500,000 for local Black-owned businesses.
“Kwanzaa Crawl is built on the belief that our strength comes from each other," Krystal Payne, co-founder of Kwanzaa Crawl. "No matter what challenges the city or the country faces, we continue to show up, support our businesses, and circulate our dollars with purpose. Our Crawl is another opportunity to honor that truth. When we rely on ourselves and stand together, we create the kind of impact no setback can erase."
Since its launch in 2016, over 27,000 participants have joined the Crawl, which has expanded from 17 Brooklyn bars to more than 80 Black-owned businesses across multiple boroughs, contributing over $3 million to the local economy, according to organizers.
“When life feels chaotic, we can either shrink or we can show up," said said Kerry Coddett, co-founder of the Crawl. "Kwanzaa Crawl is our reminder to show up for ourselves, for our businesses, and for our community. This event is about choosing joy, choosing connection, and choosing cooperative economics as a form of power. The more we gather, celebrate and support one another, the stronger and more unshakeable our community becomes."
This year’s celebration stretches beyond the one-day event. BUY BLACK returns, a weekend holiday market at Brooklyn Navy Yard on Dec. 20 and 21, from 1:00pm – 6:00pm, featuring more than 50 Black-owned businesses.
Kwanzaa Crawl will also debut BLACK PAGES, a curated collection of exclusive offers and discounts from local Black-owned establishments, providing participants with meaningful savings during the winter months while continuing to circulate dollars within the community.
