One of the enduring qualities of Kwanzaa is rooted in it’s foundational ideology called Kawaida which is “a cultural nationalist philosophy that argues that the key challenge in Black people’s life is the challenge of culture.” (1)

The main vehicle through Kwanzaa is accessed is the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) an expression of Kawaida : 1) UMOJA (Unity); 2) KUJICHAGUHA (Self-Determination); 3) UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsibility) ;4) UJAMAA (Co-operative Economics); 5) NIA; 6) KUUMBA (Creativity) and 7) IMANI (Faith). This is the “core and consciousness of Kwanzaa… the matxrix and minimum set of values African Americans need to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image.” (2)

“There are two central concepts of Kawaida philosophy which played a key role in the Black Arts and Black Power Movements: the centrality of Black culture to art, life and liberation and an expansive conception of Black culture; and the Kawaida definition of Black Power: the collective struggle to achieve and sustain three things—self-determination, self-respect and self-defense.” (3)

In particular the principle of Kuumba, defined as “to do always as much as we can, in the (best) way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it,” was quickly adopted finding expression in the burgeoning Black Arts Movement spearheaded by the likes of activist, author and playwright Amira Baraka as well as poet Haki Madhubuti, Playwright August Wilson (Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, etc) and musicians like Mtume and his Umoja Ensemble and Toudie Heath. (4)

Thus that era enshrined the potential art that can engage with the masses as a tool of politicisation in way that a straightforward political vehicle may not be able to, with a remit as broad or narrow as necesesary.

This is the path travelled by award-winning spoken word artist, creative, and healer OneNess Sankara. As part of the Best Kept Secret collective she addressed the necessity for poltical activism (Tuggstar For President) as well as combatting youth violence (Gangland). Her current work is rather nore personal but no less political, in terms of social justice.

She is addressing the sense of invisibility felt by disabled members of the community that took on a extra dimension when her son was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 (more commonly known as Down Syndrome). As a result she has launched T21 ALCHEMY, a project that aims to:

• Raise Awareness: Through engaging performances and interactive sessions, to educate and inspire the community about the challenges and triumphs of living with disability.
• Expand Consciousness: By addressing intersectional themes of race, neuro-diversity and disability, the hope is to broaden perspectives and foster inclusivity.
• Support the Community: T21 ALCHEMY will provide workshops and support sessions that offer valuable resources and connections for those directly and indirectly touched by disability, particularly parents and caregivers of children with Down Syndrome (T21).
• https://www.gofundme.com/f/t21-alchemy-raising-consciousness-around-around-disability. (5)

Sis. OneNess further explains:

“The nucleus of this project is a holistically inclusive theatre production which is centred around a mother and her journey raising a Black son with Down syndrome T21. I’m seeking funds to support the research, development, and completion of the play. Your contribution will directly impact.” (6)

So far she has delivered two riveting scratch performances of the production in March and October this year that have provided a real insight into the creative process although it coluld be a year before the final production is ready.

Initiatives like the Black Child Down Syndrome Project (BCDS), “dedicated to increasing awareness, representation, and support for Black children with Down syndrome and their families. Founded to address the lack of visibility and culturally relevant resources, the BCDS Project aims to create a more inclusive world where every child can thrive regardless of their abilities,” have also been supportive of T21 Alchemy. They have also engaged in their own high profile activitives like lighting up London’s Picadilly Circus for ten minutes during Black History Month with images from the ‘Reflecting Radiance’ exhibition that featured photographs of Afrikan Down Syndrome children taken by Oscar nominee Misan Harriman. (7)

In the USA other descendents of the Black Arts Movement can be found in Sins Invalid’s Disability Justice and Krip-Hop Nation work providing an additional model of engagement. Yet he confesses:

“Being politically & culturally disabled goes deeper than just being disabled. This stage is still lacking not only in Hip-Hop but in our Black/Brown communities and institutions. Thus making the stage of becoming politically and culturally disabled not popular, lonely and a hard avenue to travel.

Just like Hip-Hop can and is being used to educate and inspire people especially Black and Brown youth and adults, Krip-Hop can and has been doing the same with our own terminology like Krip-Hop, Black ableism and more also our politics, journalism, activism, and our upcoming Krip-Hop Nation Institute thus going back to the original mission of Disability Justice and that was community building especially in the Black and people of color communities with a combination of Black, disability theory, history, legacy of Black and disability movements with Disability Justice and Krip-Hop politics.

We have work to do!” (8)

1) Maulana Karenga (2002)Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture. University of Sankore Press. p. 3

(2) Maulana Karenga (2002) p. 43

(3) Maulana Karenga (09/04/17) Honoring August Wilson: Holding Hallowed Cultural Ground. https://ibw21.org/commentary/honoring-august-wilson-holding-hallowed-cultural-ground/

(4) Maulana Karenga (2002) p. 62;Komozi Woodard (10/01/14) Amiri Baraka Black Liberation: Straight, No Chaser. https://ibw21.org/commentary/amiri-baraka-black-liberation-straight-no-chaser/; Segun Shabaka (2025) The EAST, Kawaida and the Nguzo Saba. https://www.mergeliterarymag.com/the-east-kawaida-and-the-nguzo-saba.html; See also Mtume Umoja Ensemble (1972) Alkebu-Lan – Land Of The Blacks and Kuumba-Toudie Heath (1970) Kawaida.

(5) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (15/07/24) What is T21 Alchemy? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/what-is-t21-alchemy-150724/

(6) Oneness Sankara (30/05/24) Support T21 ALCHEMY: Raising Consciousness Around Disability. https://www.gofundme.com/f/t21-alchemy-raising-consciousness-around-around-disability

(7) The Black Child Down Syndrome (2025) About Us. https://blackchilddownsyndrome.com/about-us/; Rume Otuguor (15/10/25) Photographs of black children with Down syndrome light up Piccadilly Circus. https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/news/15102025-photographs-of-black-children-with-downs-syndrome-light-up-piccadilly-circus

(8) Leroy Moore (04/01/23) Disability Justice: More Of A Link To Black Arts/Thought Movement Than The Disability Rights Movement. https://kriphopinstitute.com/disability-justice-link-to-art/

We ask the question:

Can our KUUMBA effect social change?

1) What is the legacy of the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s?

2) Can political art thrive outside of a political movement?

3) Would embracing the Nguzo Saba help our engagement with disability issues?

4) How can the community best support T21 Alchemy and the work of BCDS?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Sis. Oneness Sankara: is an award-winning spoken word artist, creative, and healer with over 25 years of experience in the arts, healing, and social change. From the BBC to Glastonbury, she’s had the honor of opening for artists and activists like Mutabaruka, Jonzi D, Dead Prez, Janet Kay, Queen Afua, Dr. Joy DeGruy, and Jesse Jackson, to name a few. Her work lives at the intersection of art, spirituality, and advocacy.

She combines her love for the creative arts, her teaching and mentoring background, and her spiritual and cultural practices to create spaces that support personal healing and the embodiment of purpose. She’s the founder of T21 Alchemy, an initiative dedicated to transforming the narratives around Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), disability, and the experiences of carers. Her work focuses on the intersection of race, disability, and gender, with a deep commitment to inclusivity, advocacy, and storytelling.

Ultimately, her goal is to help co-create the world our ancestors dreamed of — and the one we now dream of — using art as a tool for healing, empowerment, and social change. Through her poetry, playwriting, and facilitation, she invites others to find their voices, transform their stories, and join her in building a more just and inclusive society.

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Support the T21 Alchemy campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/t21-alchemy-raising-consciousness-around-around-disability

Support the Black Child Down Syndrome Project: https://blackchilddownsyndrome.com/about-us/