The end of the year is traditionally a time of reflection, taking stock of our values, and evaluating where we are. During 2009 ethniciti has emphasized cultural appreciation of the African-American experience and expression of our ideals and style. We believe that taking a renewed look at the seven basic principles of Kwanzaa is an excellent way for all of us to refresh our beliefs in our community and reaffirm our direction.
The seven principles
The first night celebrates Unity (Umoja), reminding us of our heritage and our togetherness with family, community, and culture. The second night’s principle, Self-determination (Kujichagulia), calls attention to the need to be responsible for ourselves and create our own destiny. Third comes Ujima, which is described as Collective Work and Responsibility, emphasizing our mandate to work together to build the community. Ujima is closely allied to the fourth principle of Ujamaa, or Collective Economics, which focuses our attention on increasing economic influence by developing our businesses and organizations.
On the fifth night of Kwanzaa, we pay homage to Purpose (Nia), our obligation to do everything we can to build the greatness of the African-American people and our culture. The last two nights turn our attention to the role of Creativity (Kuumba) and Faith (Imani) in forging our destiny. We must be creative in our efforts to improve our communities and have a strong belief in the ability of our families, educators, and leaders to achieve our goals.
Our collective experience
ethniciti believes that Kwanzaa represents a time not only of reflection, but an opportunity to celebrate the African-American experience. We have designed a special Kwanzaa keepsake, eight plates that will occupy an important role in your enjoyment of Kwanzaa now and for years to come. Click here to see the collection: http://bit.ly/7C7TxK.




There is a new breed of young, talented, and aggressive African designer in the market. Inspired by the Xhosa face cutting tradition, ceramic designer Andile Dyalvane cuts into tile in a decorative manner combining his technique of paint, bold shapes, and color.


As a good steward of the environment, I am always on the lookout for products that satisfy my fashion sense as well as being responsible to the land.






As designers we begin each assignment with a high expectations in creating an exciting and memorable living space for our clients. As we move through the discovery, then the creative phases, we begin to visualize the end game, what will it look like what will it feel like. What we do know is our clients expect a space that reflects who they are and how they want people to see them.
gathering that ties together the notion of African-inspired interior design with tangible expressions of styles and tastes.
As I’ve emphasized in the ethniciti blog, dramatic changes in demographics and lifestyles have created a heightened interest in African-influenced design. Manufacturers of home fashion goods must understand the need to develop collections inspired by regional artistic styles: East African, sub-Saharan, West African, etc. During my seminar presentations, I define African styles to help designers grasp the modern African-American consumer’s fundamental preferences.
before. As one of the country’s premier lifestyle retailers, they have mastered the concept of predetermined solutions: if we didn’t sell it to you last year we simply recycle the palette with perhaps some small modifications of style and present it again as new and trendy.
when do we move from room-in-a-box to a more open and eclectic approach that reflects a modern reality, in particular a response to the tastes of the modern African-American consumer?
licensing and manufacturing of home furnishings. From my point of view that will not change in the short term.
collaboration of professional designers formed to pool our energies and resources to create African-American home fashion collections that will be developed and licensed to mainstream manufactures and distributors. Our goal is to create new lines of home fashion developed, designed, and managed by African Americans.
Recent Comments