In addition to celebrating Christmas on December 25^th, Kecia along with so many others around the world, took time out on this special day to support and watch The Color Purple at their local movie theater and or watched it at a movie premiere prior to Christmas! The Color Purple’s Box Office Sales surpassed over $25M in 2 days!

The Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg-produced film premiered on Christmas Day, and stars Fantasia Barrino (Celie) along with Danielle Brooks (Sofia), Taraji P. Henson (Shug Avery), Colman Domingo (Mister), Corey Hawkins (Harpo), H.E.R. (Squeak), Halle Bailey (Nettie), and a number of others. Beyond the film's sprawling landscapes and glittering costume design, the musical's African and hip-hop dance styles and swelling orchestrations bring vibrancy and new life to the tale of a Black woman's harrowing journey to independence in 1920s Georgia. 

Ghanaian filmmaker and artist Bazawule (Beyoncé's Black is King) didn't go to film school or attend a performing arts conservatory. In fact, he was the least known of the 10 candidates to interview for the director gig. After receiving playwright Marcus Gardley's script for the film, Bazawule says he knew that a groundbreaking epic like The Color Purple required a fastidious attention to detail. For three months, he sketched the film frame by frame, added voice-overs and sound effects, and shared his two-hour storyboard with his fellow crew members. Some laughed. Others cried. 

Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration of family, culture, and community. Each day honors a particular African-derived principle and the final day culminates in a feast (called Karamu) on New Year’s Day.

In alignment with the winter solstice, Kwanzaa emphasizes the harvest season with symbols of health, community, and prosperity. Each day is counted down on a menorah-like candelabra. Throughout the week, celebrants learn and communicate in Swahili phrases to stay connected to gratitude. Gifts exchanged during the week are handmade or reused, in addition to being of utilitarian value. Pushing against consumerism during the end of year shopping season, Kwanzaa is often used as a rooting practice meant to bring families and friends together—regardless of their budget or background.

Umoja (Unity): Emphasizes unity within families, communities, and the African diaspora. Observe it by lighting the first candle, representing unity, on the Kinara.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Encourages individuals to shape their own destinies. Groups engage in activities that encourage self-reflection and personal goal-setting. Usually, kids must research and share short narratives about public figures from Black history—from Martin Luther King Jr. to Rihanna—whose achievements were attributed to persistence.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Stresses collaboration and shared responsibility for community development. Expect to participate in collective projects or volunteer work to improve the local community.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Promotes financial literacy and entrepreneurship by highlighting community-based businesses or social enterprises that provide collective prosperity. Families try to buy from or support local Black-owned businesses. Conversations revolve around economic empowerment, responsible spending, and the power of investing. Elders pass down financial advice and money lessons to younger generations.

Nia (Purpose): Encourages setting community-oriented goals and working toward them, collectively. Groups discuss problems they face and set goals to overcome them for the betterment of the community. A break for an individualistic mindset, this principle encourages deriving purpose from helping others and seeing oneself as an integral part of a larger society that deeply relies on their talents.

Kuumba (Creativity): Celebrates creativity and fosters continuous improvement. This is a fun day to engage in creative activities, such as art-, music-, or craft-making. Expect to incorporate African words and West African Adinkra symbols. Handmade gifts are exchanged, emphasizing the value of personal creativity in each.

Imani (Faith): Encourages belief in oneself, community, and positive change. The final candle on the Kinara closes the celebration with a symbol of faith. Families engage in discussions or activities that encourage optimism, planning for, and belief in a positive future. This is also the most festive day, celebrated with a large, potluck-style meal (called Karamu) open to all.

Many minority and women business enterprise entrepreneurs use their local, County and State Agencies to stay current and tap into potential resources and procurement opportunities for their businesses and their communities. Getting MWBE Certified and procuring government contracts can help MWBEs build their businesses! Grants, loans, networking, attending training classes, workshops and joining chambers of commerce and professional organizations are also parts of MWBEs portfolios to grow their businesses. We encourage MWBEs to become civically and politically engaged in their communities and the communities that they serve!

Take your business to new heights in 2024 by checking out the Minority Commerce Weekly! Click here to check out tools, resources, and business opportunities.

You can also visit our website at www.aerobasoul.com or email Kecia at kecia@aerobasoul.com.

At Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. we build dreams to life with heart and a soul! Like a trusted friend and confidante, our personal project managers tap into their vivid imaginations, hearts and souls to analyze clients' projects and engineer solutions through project completion.