Browse Tag

Kwanzaa

16 mins read

SHOPPE BLACK HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Welcome to our SHOPPE BLACK Gift Guide for 2020. This time of year, many of us will be shifting focus from the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic to celebrating the holidays and the promise of our return to a better tomorrow.

If you’re interested in spreading some joy with a gift from a Black owned business, we’ve got some ideas for you.

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

CLOTHING

SHOPPE BLACK (shameless plug) We connect the world to amazing Black owned businesses. Make a statement in your SHOPPE BLACK tee or hoodie!

SHOPPE BLACK HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Philadelphia Printworks is a conscious clothing company that creates T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel with designs inspired by social issues.

Offer – Use code “SHOPPEBLACK” to save 15% until December 31st, 2020 at 11:50 pm EST.

Trubaker empowers communities of color by providing fashion apparel that promotes concepts about Africa and the rich cultures within the continent.

Impano Sports provides African inspired quality sports apparel designed specifically for athletes, runners, and the active lifestyle community.

Solely Fit intends to capture the beautiful narrative of a woman’s body and the core of who she is while empowering her to be all that she is inherently destined to be.

Offer -Use Code “Strong20”  for 20% off and get $50 off your $150 dollar purchase with Code “strong50”

BAOBAB – “As Seen on Shark tank”. The perfect polo.  Made using our custom premium BaoTECH™: Incredibly soft, Blocks stains, neutralizes odors, prevents collars curl, resist fading and shrinking.

Offer- Use Code: TREEOFLIFE to save 15% and free shipping on all orders of $150 

 

HOME DECOR

Beyond Interior aims to provide a full range of unique interior pieces like no other. Their candles, Bré, Tolani, and Gina, are the perfect addition to your home this season to level up your space and create a home within a home.

Tackussanu Senegal offers beautiful decorative storage baskets for the home. Woven with stunning colors & unique patterns, also with genuine leather trim. They work with a small group of Artisans ethically sourced items with natural eco-friendly materials.

Offer – Use code “Tackussanu” for 10%off

Reflektion Design is an Afro modern lifestyle brand for people who love culturally driven decor and accessories that reflect who they are. They work with artisans in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda to produce an assortment of handmade decor, jewelry, clothing, and more.

Offer – 15% off discount code: SBHOLIDAY

 

54Kibo offers unique and exclusive selections of contemporary African design and home accessories that are inspiring the global design landscape.

Image credit: Emily Henderson

SWEETS & TREATS

Blondery is a direct-to-consumer virtual bakery that offers 4 core flavors and seasonal flavors that solve the question of what to give when you want a unique and delicious gift for yourself or others.

Powerbites! – Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and made with organic ingredients, PowerBites! offers nutrition and great taste, making them ‘a delicious decision’ to have on the run, in the office, between meals, and to share!

Offer – Use Code HAPPYHOLIDAYS10 for a 10% discount

Chocolate Therapy is a chocolate shop, dedicated to providing you with remarkable, locally produced chocolates, as well as their unique handmade collection. 

DRINKS

Steep & Sip Teas is an organic tea company that promotes health and wellness without compromising taste. They are offering a holiday bundle this year featuring three teas, Apple Spice, Berry Bliss, and Maple Chai, available through Jan. 15th. 

Tea Please is a dessert flavored loose leaf tea company that is designed to satisfy your sweet cravings without intaking any additional sugar! So therefore you can indulge without the guilt!

Offer –  Free Mug on Orders Over $75 with code: BlackFriday

 

Bea’s Wellness Teas offers a variety of organic herbal blends with your health in mind.

Offer – 20% off through 12/25 using code SHOPPEBLACK

BEAUTY

People of Color is a non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free nail polish brand made to complement the various shades of brown skin as the first thought, not an afterthought.

Offer – 15% off with code: SHOPPE15

Bossy Cosmetics is an affordable luxe beauty brand that ignites confidence in ambitious women through high-quality, beautifully packaged cruelty-free cosmetics.

Offer – Use code SHOPPEBLACK for 15% off

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

 

Best Life Organics is a conscious beauty and wellness brand featuring natural skincare essentials and bath + body goods for your daily self-care.

Offer – Free Shipping On All Orders over $50…Free Shea + Avocado Lip Balm with all orders over $75

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Neter Gold is an all natural body care brand that focuses on uplifting your spirits. Neter Gold also has a plethora of hair care accessories designed to help detangle and revitalize your natural hair like never before.

Offer – 30% off all November long with code: ASHVEMBER 

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

IYOBA is an environmentally conscious clean beauty company that offers handmade all-natural products for body and home.

Offer – 10% off  Discount code – ShoppeBlack 

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

ACCESSORIES & JEWELRY

Benson was founded on the principle that “Time Should Be Spent Doing What You Love.” They are committed to developing beautiful creations to inspire anyone who comes in contact with the brand to pursue their passions!

Offer – Use code ‘BLACK’ to get 30% off any item on the website. 

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

SPGBK watches aim to challenge the norm, by developing purposeful watches that are more affordable, more sustainable, and more ethnically inspired.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

ASO ROCK ™ is a luxury affordable lifestyle watch brand inspired by Africa. They believe in making premium timepieces available to everyone at fair prices. They value access over aspiration and expression over status.

Offer – Use code Shoppe20 to get 20% OFF 

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Raquel Denise Handbag Boutique specializes in affordable, one-of-kind handbags, purses, clutches, tote bags and more. They aspire to inspire everyone to live authentically in their purpose while carrying a bag that speaks volumes while “Securing the Bag”.

Offer – 15% off your first purchase with code: RDTY15 (Discount ongoing) 35% off  Wednesday – Friday (11/25 – 11/27), with code: SHOPPE35

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020
ASHYA is a contemporary design label focused on belt bags and travel-friendly accessories for the modern day explorer.
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020
Whitney Manney translates the aesthetics of street art and the effects of cultural movements on the current urban landscape into ready-to-wear wearable art and textile design.
Offer – Black Friday 11/27: 25% off your purchase of $75 or more …. Small Biz Saturday 11/28: Gift with Purchase over $60- Laser Cut Ornament 
Status Co. is committed to providing high quality, handcrafted leather products that are ethically made, durable, and earth-friendly.  Their curated collection of full-grain leather bags and accessories compliment every lifestyle.
The Looke started in late 2016 as a hat brand of 6 hats and has now grown into more than 30 different colors and styles. TheRichAuntie was born as a reminder to be RICH in all aspects of life.
Offer – Black Friday Discount Code: BONBF for 5o% off the entire site tarting 11/28 12:00am – 11:59pm 

Sewit Sium is a designer of historically and culturally inspired African jewelry; each piece is a modern heirloom imbued with story, statement and sentiment.

Lorraine West Jewelry is an independent, contemporary, designer jewelry brand that evokes elegance and power through every design.

Lingua Nigra jewelry is meant to evoke a timeless feeling that can be worn everyday, because this form of art should be shared by wearing.

EYEWEAR

SWAV Eyewear is an inspirational eyewear brand that sells stylish sunglasses & frames to inspire you to never give up on the vision you have for your life.

Offer – Receive a free matching crewneck with your purchase of any pair of frames. 

Vontélle offers handcrafted glasses designed to pay homage to our African ancestry with traditional colors and patterns that channel our African, Caribbean, and Latino heritage. Vontélle also offers prescriptions for single vision, progressives, and readers!

Offer – Use Code “WOW10” for 10% off until November 29th…Use Code “CYBER20” for a 20% Discount for Cyber Monday – Through Xmas

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

STATIONERY

Entrepreneurs Color Too is a coloring book company promoting self care and stress relief while providing positive representation for women of all ages.

Offer – Purchase the “Inspirational Colored Pencils” and get the digital downloadable copy of the 6 page Self Care Coloring book for free through December.

Culture Greetings will print, stamp, and mail greeting cards directly to your recipients. They also offer same-day greeting card pickup in partnership with Walgreens!

Offer – Use code “culture10” for 10% off. 

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

My Filibo – Inspired by the African and Caribbean heritage, My Filibo provides apparel, stationery, lapel pins, and other products designed with deep-rooted meaning.

Offer – 10% off with code SHOPPEBLACK, expires Dec 31, 2020.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

We Are Maud is a whimsical shopping experience complete with a range of gifts that will bring the unexpected to any special occasion.

CHILDREN

Nia Ballerina offers two amazing music boxes and designs, which will make the perfect keepsake gift for any little ballerina. In addition to this, they have a Black ballerina doll complete with a pink ballet outfit and shoes, and pink rucksack.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Puzzle Huddle offers jigsaw puzzles for children featuring aspirational and affirming images. The puzzles are designed for conversation, learning, and having a delightful interaction with the children in your life.

Offer – 20% off everything during the holiday shopping season

Cozy N Cute Kids Boutique provides cute and comfortable everyday clothing for children sizes newborn- 7T.

Offer – Buy 2 Items, Get a 3rd Item Free!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Chez Bébé is a premium collection of children’s bedding designed for kids, by kids.

Offer – A free gift (inspirational print)with purchase. Also, free shipping over $50 and up to 40% off sale

HBCU Pride & Joy Children’s Boutique is your go-to for high-quality, adorable HBCU apparel and accessories for babies and kids.

Offer – BLKXMAS 10% off orders (not valid with other discounts). Valid until 12/31/2020

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Teni and Tayo Creations makes toys, books, and workshops for kids to inspire the next generation of innovators, creative thinkers, and problem solvers. Plus, each product is infused with a pinch of African culture making for an extra special experience!

Offer – Get 10% off when you use code SHOPPEBLACK at checkout. Expires Dec 15

PETS

Sir Dogwood is an inclusive community for swank pups and their sartorially-minded owners. They feature a highly curated selection of quality dog wear and accessories from the freshest and most innovative designers in the US and abroad.

Offer – Use code SHOPPEBLACK for free US domestic shipping (valid through 12.31.21)

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Ava’s Pet Palace is a company based in greater Chicago that focuses on organic, non-GMO pet treats for dogs and cats. Ava’s Pet Palace was started by Ava Dorsey, a 13-year-old kidpreneur, at just 8 years old.

CIGARS

Tres Lindas Cigars is the only Afro-Cuban, woman owned cigar brand in the U.S. Blended with the finest Cuban-seed tobacco. Cultivated and aged to perfection.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Emperors Cut Cigars was conceived as a lifestyle cigar for men and women to enjoy during their leisure time with friends and family.

SHOPPE BLACK GIFT GUIDE

BOOKS

“Dandy Lion: (Re) Articulating Black Masculine Identity” presents and celebrates individual dandy personalities, designers, and tailors, movements, and events that define contemporary dandyism.

SHOPPE BLACK GIFT GUIDE

Kwame Brathwaite: Black Is Beautiful – In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, Kwame Brathwaite used photography to popularize the political slogan “Black Is Beautiful.” This exhibition tells the story of a key figure of the second Harlem Renaissance.

SHOPPE BLACK GIFT GUIDE

GAMES

Brilliant or BS? is a hilarious 4-6 player bluffing trivia party game to play with friends and family. Be brilliant and know the answers or BS your way to victory!

SHOPPE BLACK GIFT GUIDE

FRAGRANCES

Savoir Faire balances sexy yet soft confidence and swaggering sensuality. The fragrance celebrates the unique individual ability that you have which allows you to thrive in various social circles regardless of skin color, religion, education, or crypto portfolio.

SHOPPE BLACK GIFT GUIDE

Tony O. Lawson


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8 mins read

This Mother Created a Clothing Line That Celebrates the Principles of Kwanzaa

Kinara Park Kids is a clothing line that promotes representation while celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), “KG” Kujichagulia (Self Determination), Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).

We spoke to founder Noni Ervin to find out more about the brand and the inspiration behind it.

What inspired you to create Kinara Park Kids?

I was back-to-school shopping. And there it was…” the perfect shirt”.

It had these really cool silhouettes of kids–lots of kids. I was on my way to pick out one for my son, but as I moved closer, I saw that the silhouettes of kids (even though there were a lot of kids on the t-shirt), none of them looked like my son.

kwanzaa
Noni Ervin

I was very disappointed and so confused. How could there be that many kids but none of them represent my child?! Especially in today’s age where kids arguably need more reassuring affirmations than ever?!

There had to be a solution.

To my disappointment, there was nothing readily available that had silhouettes of kids with textured hair.

I began brainstorming ideas on how to avoid this seclusion for other families like mine! What if I could create something that would have silhouettes that our kids could relate to as well as provide a positive movement in our community?

That’s when Kwanzaa and its principles came to mind. Then it hit me! What if I add Kwanzaa into what I am creating, what if each of the principles were a silhouette? Better yet, what if the principles were a kid and they were all friends?

From here, Kinara Park Kids was born. No longer will my children or any other child that looks like mine be outcasts. I am here to build unity in our community and find it my duty to fulfill this purpose.

kwanzaa

All of the Kwanzaa principles are important but which do you identify with the most? Why?

I love all of the principles, but I think I identify most with Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

The thing that affects one of us really does affect all of us. The work that Taraji P. Henson is doing through The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is in line with this. They are working to eradicate mental health stigmas in Black Communities. If we can take hold of different issues affecting one another, then we become our own source of strength. This is ujima and this is powerful!

kwanzaa

What has been the most fulfilling and the most challenging thing about being an entrepreneur?

The most fulfilling thing has been watching my two sons experience this journey. It is profound for them to be able to see something created or begin as a thought and then move through the many stages of becoming a tangible thing. They have seen me up late working on the various parts of this business, so they know it is not easy. I hope they are inspired to create solutions as they mature into young men.

The most challenging thing has been visibility. Kinara Park Kids brings value to our community in many ways, but that means nothing if no one knows we exist. We are grateful for the social media marketing firm that is helping change this (Parris Gray, CEO & Co-Founder of I Use DMP). Also, we are very excited about SHOPPE Black for an opportunity to make ourselves known in the marketplace!

 

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

You have to have some stick-with-it! Owning your own business is like farming versus landscaping–delayed gratification versus immediate gratification. For example, landscaping is when you see the weeds and overgrown lawn, get the lawnmower and weed wacker, and in a very short time, everything is neat and tidy and looks wonderful. Of course, it grows back, but not for a few weeks. When it does, you get out the lawnmower and weed wacker and repeat the process.

Being an entrepreneur means touching your business daily. It is waking up before the sun rises and going to bed after it sets. If you were on a farm, you would have to be mindful of seasons, weather patterns, critters, soil pH, seed quality, and timing for harvest.

For your business, this means being aware of all parts of your business, including product quality, scaling, branding, pricing, delivery, marketing, accounting, etc. I would tell aspiring entrepreneurs to make sure their “Why?” is big enough to last the full journey. If you’re going through the desert, you don’t take two water bottles. You will need to plan for time and obstacles. This owning-your-own-business stuff is not for the faint of heart. Brace yourself and get to work.

Where do you see the business 5 years from now?

In five years we are a household name. The outfits of each of the Kinara Park Kids is on clothing racks in Target and K&G. Elementary students will be at recess or on the playground and will pick teams by principles. It will be team Umoja and team Imani!!!

Kinara Park Kids is a billion dollar corporation. We practice cooperative economics which is to keep our dollars circulating within our community. When immigrants come to this country they typically have ties to their homeland, but African Americans do not have the privilege of those kind of resources.

Kinara Park Kids will be part of transforming that scenario. The money generated from sales is a point of capital distribution in our community–we are our own source of capital. We are like the elders in other communities that say, “We see you aspiring entrepreneur.

We have seen you grow up and we believe in you. We want to invest in you.” We infuse our community with capital and we are stronger. The revenue that is generated by Kinara Park Kids is a source of capital to further the start-up and growth of other Black-owned businesses.

Tony O. Lawson


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6 mins read

KWANZAA at 50: Kujichagulia…For Us By Us

In the spirit of Kujichagulia, which just happens to be my favorite principle, and the fact that I’m co-founder of a startup where we celebrate Blackness 365 of the year, I felt that we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the celebration for what it’s worth. Founded in 1966, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Pan-African holiday. For the next several days we’ll be posting various tidbits about Kwanzaa and sharing insight from various Biggity Blackists. Happy Kwanzaa!

– Shantrelle P. Lewis


Day 2: KUJICHAGULIA | SELF-DETERMINATION

Self-Determination. Agency. Commanders of our own destiny. Taking our lives, our realities and that of our children and our people into our own hands and creating the world that we want to see. Nothing illustrates this more than our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Founded in the mid 19th century to educated the formerly enslaved, these hallmark institutions are still responsible for educating some of the brightest minds history has ever seen.

During the period that A Different World aired on television, droves of young Black teenagers were enrolling in Black centers of higher education. Today, it’s important that we continue to encourage young people to attend HBCUs as well as donate the institutions we graduated from if we are indeed alumni. Kujichagulia means taking our collective destiny into our own hands.


Why do you still celebrate/acknowledge/practice Kwanzaa? Biggity Black Friend #2: Jenga Mwendo

I’ve celebrated Kwanzaa all my life, so it’s not odd that I would still celebrate it today. However, it’s become more important and intentional for me now that I have a daughter. Kwanzaa focuses on principles (the Nguzo Saba) that are not only positive but critical for us to thrive as a people – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, familyhood and cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

How beautiful to have a time set aside every year to celebrate these principles as a family and community? Kwanzaa also focuses on celebrating our history and achievements, and our African heritage. How beautiful to intentionally come together at the end of the year and recognize our brilliance as a people and our connection to the Motherland?

When I was a kid, Kwanzaa was basically brand new. The way we celebrated in our family was very “by the book”, very educational, and stiff. It was missing what makes holidays like Christmas endearing and lasting – fun, food, music and affection. So, each year, I try to work on my Kwanzaa game. I try to find ways to make it something that my daughter looks forward to. I’ve created a Kwanzaa playlist of both explicitly “Kwanzaa” music and positive message music.

It’s so uplifting to fill the day with music that imbues self-pride, confidence, hope and joy. We spend time together, set up the Kwanzaa table together and make gifts for family members. I haven’t figured out yet how to make the educational part enjoyable…so my daughter still rolls her eyes when it’s time to talk about Black history. But, hopefully, that’s the part she will appreciate, even if she doesn’t like it immediately.

Every year, my whole family gets together for Kuumba, which is on New Year’s Eve. My sister started this tradition of vision boarding for the New Year. It’s a great way to come together as a family and set intentions for the future.

– Jenga Mwendo, New Orleans, Louisiana

KUJICHAGULIA SOUNDTRACK

Nothing says Self-Determination more than Solange’s F.U.B.U.


KWANZAA 101

Nguzo Saba (Seven Principals)

Day 1: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Day 2: Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Day 5: Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7: Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Traditional Kwanzaa symbols include Kinara (candle holder), Muhindi (corn), Mkeka (candle holder), Kikombe cha Umoja (unity cup), Zawadi (gifts), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), mazao (crops) and Muhindi (corn) which are placed on a mat (Mkeka).

The Davis Family Kwanzaa Celebration ca. 2015.
5 mins read

Why It’s Important That We Celebrate Kwanzaa, Now More Than Ever

I was recently musing over the 90s and what those years did for Black culture. I wouldn’t say that it was my favorite decade but I have to acknowledge the multiple ways that it reaffirmed Black, particularly African American, culture.

The television shows, the various Black-owned boutiques where Black women could purchase loose-fitting coats made of mud cloth, commercial Black art, and Kwanzaa.

kwanzaa

While I didn’t grow up practicing Kwanzaa ritualistically within my family, I was very aware of the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, the holiday’s symbols, and various types of celebrations. In my adult life, I’ve stood at various places on the spectrum of celebrating Kwanzaa.

There have been years where I’ve fully celebrated each principle within a community of people, lighting the kinara and the whole shebang. There were other years, namely last year, where I may have said “Habari gani?” in Facebook status and that’s it.

Most of my back and forth has stemmed from the intellectual and humanitarian in me trying to make peace with the actual holiday versus the personal transgressions of its problematic founder, Maulana Karenga.

Kwanzaa Celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum ca. 2014

In the spirit of Kujichagulia, however, and the fact that I’m co-founder of a startup where we celebrate Blackness 365 of the year, I felt that we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the celebration for what it’s worth. Founded in 1966, this year marks the 55th anniversary of the Pan-African holiday.

– Shantrelle P. Lewis


KWANZAA 101

Nguzo Saba (Seven Principals)

Day 1: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Day 2: Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and solve them together.

Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Day 5: Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7: Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.


Why do you still celebrate/acknowledge/practice Kwanzaa? Biggity Black Friend #1: Fahamu Pecou

#Kwanzaa is a time for pause/reflection. It is a symbolic harvest of all that the year has brought us and it begins with #umoja (unity). UMOJA symbolizes the coming together of a community. It is a reminder of why we are all here.

Each individual is like a cell in the body- though it acts independently and has a specific purpose, it is also an integral part of something much larger. UMOJA is also important because it reminds us that we are not alone. In any given year we will have highs as well as lows.

Our community is there at both extremes; to lift us in celebration and strengthen us when we despair. So let us mark the beginning of this time of reflection as one-and TOGETHER we will mourn our losses, give thanks for our blessings, and chart our tomorrows. Asé!!!

– Fahamu Pecou

UMOJA SOUNDTRACK

Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y. (1993)

Self-Destruction: Various Artists (1987)

Family Reunion – The O’Jays (1975)

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