Wake Up Fresco! - Kwanzaa Crawl 2019: Brooklyn

Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! HarambeeEEEE!

We chant this call to action 7 times on the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Directly translated to “All pull together”, “Harambee” was the foundation-shaking chant heard coming from The Black Lady Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. Hundreds of people, organized into teams, arrived at the theatre to celebrate Kwanzaa with Kwanzaa Crawl 2019. This was an event geared towards supporting black-owned businesses; a physical manifestation of Harambee.

The Black Lady Theatre

Team Leaders

Filling Up

Kerry Coddett & Krystal Stark Interview

Co-Founders Kerry Coddett & Krystal Stark

HARAMBEE!

As Sakina Rice lit the candles, Marlon Rice imparted his knowledge of the 7 days of Kwanzaa sharing that each day of Kwanzaa, which begin on the 26th of December, is an opportunity for communal reflection on the 7 principles of Nguzo Saba. This was followed by a spiritually affirming a cappella performance by The Voice Box.

Candles

Marlon & Sakina Rice Lighting Candles

Audience in Full Cheer

Who Know's What Harambee Means?

I Do, We Do, I Do

The Sisters Do

The Music Box

Audiences Spirits Being Uplifted

With our souls filled and our energies aligned, we exited the theatre and Kwanzaa Crawl began! A bevy of black-owned bars and restaurants hosted the teams of Kwanzaa Crawl, including; Savvy Bistro, Negril BK, BK9, 33 Lafayette, and Mo’s Bar & Lounge. But most importantly, we celebrated being proud and black in the open, for all to witness. In our solidarity, we have no reason to let fear hold us. When we all pull together, we are the champions of our own destiny. We celebrate.