The third day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 28, honors Ujima, or collective work and responsibility.
Ujima emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining strong communities by working together to solve shared challenges. It recognizes that individual well-being is deeply connected to the health of the broader community and calls for shared accountability in creating spaces that support growth, care and opportunity.
Rooted in African communal traditions, Ujima encourages collaboration, mutual support and active participation in shaping environments that reflect the needs and values of the people who live there.
In Brooklyn, this principle is embodied by Paris Alexandra, founder of Brooklyn Wellness Space, a community-centered wellness hub in Bed-Stuy.
Created as a space for healing, creativity and connection, Brooklyn Wellness Space brings together local practitioners, artists and residents through accessible wellness programming that prioritizes inclusion and collective care.
Alexandra’s work centers community voices and reinvests in the neighborhood’s creative and cultural energy, reflecting a commitment to shared responsibility and long-term well-being.
BK Reader previously reported on Brooklyn Wellness Space and its impact on Bed-Stuy’s creative community.
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.
Paris Alexandra’s work through Brooklyn Wellness Space reflects Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) — building community-centered spaces rooted in shared care, collaboration and a commitment to strengthening Bed-Stuy from within.
