Why Kuumba Expressions?

1. Why Kuumba Expressions?
Afrika Abney entitled her visual art workshops “Kuumba Expressions “using
one of the Kwanzaa principles which is Kuumba.
Kuumba means Creativity: “Commitment, duty, and obligation to the practice
of continuous improvement.”
Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the 7 Principles and
reinforced the bonds of family and community. The Seven Principles were
viewed and still remain the “moral minimum”set of values which African
Americans need to strengthen and make more effective families and family
systems. The values embedded in the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa are
interlocking and align together and synergistically produce an outcome greater
than each of the values isolated individually.
The Kuumba/Creativity principle demands that African - Americans strive for
continuous improvement in our personal and family lives. This principle
pushes us to achieve at our highest potential.
Moreover, the Kuumba principle pushes children and adults to strive for
continuous improvement, always looking to do better. This principle is central
and essential to the restoration of academic excellence for African - American
youth.
The Kuumba/Creativity principle pushes against a “victimization” mentality. No
matter what the circumstance, how difficult the task, how challenging the
outcome, this principle demands perfectibility in that the failure of African -
American adults and children to make use of their divine and noble talents, to
allow these talents to wane and waste away, is an act against the welfare of
black people and humanity and is also one of the greatest harm a people can
inflict upon itself. "
However, Kuumba Expressions does not only serve African - American
children and youth, Ms. Abney’s believes that all children and youth can gain
from the experiences by participating in our programs and workshops.