Kujichagulia: The Power of Self-Determination

Kujichagulia, the second principle of Kwanzaa, calls us to the radical act of self-definition. It’s a reminder that we hold the pen to our own stories, empowered to name ourselves and craft lives rooted in our truths. For me, Kujichagulia is more than a principle—it’s a way of being.

Self-determination has been my compass through life’s complexities. It’s the courage to stand unapologetically in my identity, claiming space in a world that often seeks to overwrite the narratives of people like me. Kujichagulia drives everything I do—whether it’s in my academic work, my role as an educator, or through the creative expressions of my beauty and wellness brand, Blyssom by Shapel.

This principle feels especially poignant today. I’m under the weather, but my heart is heavy for another reason—today would have been Victor’s 37th birthday. He was more than a cousin to me; he was a source of light, love, and authentic support. Kujichagulia reminds me to honor his memory by continuing to show up in the world, even in moments of grief and vulnerability. It’s a reminder that my determination to live authentically and fully is part of the legacy of those who have touched my life, including Victor.

This principle is deeply personal. It’s the strength that enabled me to break generational barriers, becoming the first in my family to earn a PhD while honoring the love, resilience, and sacrifices of those who came before me. It’s also the fire that fuels my dreams for my daughter, teaching her through word and example that she holds the power to define herself in a world that often tries to dictate otherwise.

Kujichagulia isn’t just about speaking for ourselves. It’s about fully living and creating from a place of authenticity and love. It’s a reclamation of what has always been ours—our agency, our worth, and our power. It’s the affirmation that we are enough, capable, and deserving of shaping the world on our terms.

As Kwanzaa invites us to reflect on this principle, I encourage you to honor your own Kujichagulia. How can you define yourself, name yourself, and create for yourself in a way that reflects your true essence? How can you show up in the world as your fullest self, reclaiming your power and sharing your light?

During this reflective time, I find solace and strength in reading the works of Anna Julia Cooper, a towering figure in Black feminist thought who exemplifies Kujichagulia in every sense. Her commitment to defining herself on her own terms, even in the face of systemic oppression, resonates deeply with me. Cooper’s insistence on the intellectual and moral contributions of Black women—despite being overlooked and underestimated—reminds me of the power of self-determination. She inspires me to embrace my own voice unapologetically, to name and define myself in my scholarship, motherhood, and activism. As I honor Victor’s memory and navigate this season of both grief and renewal, Cooper’s words remind me that living authentically and boldly is a radical act of Kujichagulia that has the power to transform not just my life, but the world around me.

This Kwanzaa, let Kujichagulia guide you to live boldly and unapologetically. Because when we show up as our whole, authentic selves, we make the world a brighter place.

🌿 Define yourself. Name yourself. Create for yourself.