Why You Need to Come Thru for Kwanzaa Crawl 2017 in NYC
The Millennials have put their mark on the 50-year-old celebration of pan-African culture and I am so here for it! Since last years inaugural Kwanzaa Crawl, I’ve heard countless opinions about how having a bar crawl and the idea of “drinking” diminishes the integrity of the holiday. As a person that wholeheartedly believes in the principles and regularly celebrates Kwanzaa during the seven days following Christmas, I am even more intentional about living out the principles throughout the entire year and couldn’t disagree with the naysayers more. In my opinion, the Kwanzaa Crawl is an innovative and relevant way to highlight and connect just about all of the seven principles and introduces the holiday to an audience that may not have otherwise known and/or celebrated.
“Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa to introduce and reinforce seven basic values (Nguzo Saba) of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community.”
While there were a few hiccups during the event kick-off last year, if I can be totally honest, by the time the crawling commenced, any issues became a non factor in the overall experience. Meeting, connecting and just enjoying the positive vibes with my brothers and sisters adorned in their dopest ethnic fashions were a total win…..all while peacefully & respectfully running these Brooklyn streets supporting Black Owned businesses. That’s dope AF!!!!
Brooklyn Crawl Crew 2016
Having the opportunity to meet the masterminds behind the crawl this year and hearing their motivation behind creating the event, I am even more convinced that the Kwanzaa Crawl is not just another pop-up event, but one that will be marked as one of NYC’s premier Kwanzaa celebrations going forward. The level of excellence and attention to detail these two sisters have put into the planning of this one-day event, has really set the vibe and is truly making the ancestors proud. (I know there’s some sage burning somewhere)
@Overfab (Founder)
My top three reasons for supporting the Kwanzaa Crawl are:
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Attendees get to support Black Owned businesses on a day that the business would normally be either closed or pull in very low profits
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A portion of the events proceeds are being donated to amazing non-profit movements that support the black community
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I just love gathering with my melanated peeps defying stereotypes that we can’t come together without some ish happening
Kwanzaa Crawl 2017, #squad (well 1/2 of us anyway)
Event Info: This years crawl will be in both Brooklyn and Harlem!
- I’ll be leading Team #13 beginning at BK9 so get your tickets here.
- Visit the Kwanzaa Crawl website to get all of the Rules to Crawl By
- Follow @Overfab & @KwanzaaCrawl for updates leading to the December 26th event
- Follow me, @bkkisha for details on a chance to win a FREE crawl ticket
Don’t get caught out there crushing on the Crawls pics all over social media because you slept, ijs. **Some venues are already sold out, so don’t say I didn’t tell you**
Get your squad together and join in on the fun with a purpose. Spread Love, It’s the BrooKlyn Kisha Way!!
**Want to learn more about Kwanzaa, check out some of my previous posts inclusive of cultural events for all ages, throughout the city:
Kwanzaa In the City: Celebrating 50 Years
Go Back to Our Roots In Order to Move Forward
Spread Love:
Chelsea
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 2:53 pm
This is such a great idea! If I was local I would definitely participate!
Lakisha
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 4:46 pm
They’re expanding so hopefully it will make it to your city. Happy holidays!
TanyaSpeaksLife (@tanyaspeakslife)
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:47 pm
I am so here for this! I would love to do this with my family…
Lakisha
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 9:43 pm
The great thing about Kwanzaa celebrations is that you can be extremely creative to make it your own!
xocrystalnicole
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 8:38 pm
This sounds like a really cool idea. Wish I was in the area!
Lakisha
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 9:42 pm
It is really a lot of fun! Do you celebrate Kwanzaa?
Kita
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 9:57 pm
This is so dope. I need to check out what’s going on around Atlanta for Kwanzaa. I really want to get my kids involved and embracing our culture.
Lakisha
Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Oh for sure I think they would in the -A. Check out some of the links to my previous Kwanzaa post as they are filled w/ cool kid friendly videos. Start w/ something as simple as a reading a book w/them about it.
Kim
Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Sounds dope!
Malikah
Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 2:35 pm
I’ve never done a Kwanzaa celebration but it sounds awesome! #blmgirl
Lakisha
Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Where do you live? It’s possible they may have celebrations in your city!
biancadottin
Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 9:41 pm
I love the idea of this! We don’t celebrate Kwanzaa but I love learning about other cultural traditions. It would definitely be something i’d check out if I were local.
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 3:17 am
The core values of the 7 principles are something we all can embrace irrespective of cultural differences, which is great!
Nanekia Ansaei
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 12:16 am
This sounds like an amazing event. We celebrate Kwanzaa as a village and this is a nice take on that tradition.
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 3:14 am
I totally agree, I love our creativity! What some of your Kwanzaa traditions?
socamom
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 11:57 am
What a neat idea! I need to see if they have somerhing similar around my way…
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Hi Eva,
I’m sure D.C has some great Kwanzaa events!!
Michelle Thames
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Ive never heard of this but it sounds like a blast! What a great way to celebrate Kwanzaa!
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Hi Michelle,
The picture of all that melanin is beautiful!
mimicutelips
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 1:28 pm
I love everything about this. I have never celebrated Kwanzaa but I would totally do this. Because I’m rooting for everybody black.
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 4:54 pm
ErrrrrrBody Black!!! I can see you & the cute lips crew making some dope DIY Kwanzaa gifts!
terrihugg
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 2:30 pm
I’ve never celebrated Kwanzaa before, I don’t mind getting into and learning about it. I’m not too far away in Jersey. I may consider checking this out
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Hey Terri!
Interestingly, quite a few of our team members are from Jersey. If you can join us, you won’t be disappointed. If BK is too far, sign up for the Harlem crawl.
Ashleigh
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 3:39 pm
This sounds like such a dope event! I’m down with most things that support the uplifting of black businesses!!
Lakisha
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Hi Ashleigh!
So am I, even if I have to pay a lil extra, if the service and product is good, it’s all worth it!