KWANZAA: A BLUEPRINT FOR BLACK LIBERATION
“You can try to spread ideas through words. But we’re going to film people living ideas out in their real lives, manifesting these principles in the world.” - Malcolm Hoover
December 26th is the beginning of Kwanzaa! Join us on this inside look at a celebration at Black Futures Farm, where Kwanzaa is more than a holiday: it is a radical way of life.
While growing up in East Palo Alto, California, a town racially and physically divided by the freeway built down its middle, Malcom Hoover sat at the feet of the Grandmother of Kwanzaa, Makinya Sibeko-Kouate. From an early age, he recognized Kwanzaa as essential to his cultural identity of what it meant to be Black, a touch point to inform him of who he is and how he should live in the world.
Hoover has been asking the question: how does this cultural phenomenon establish a Black identity outside colonialist and slave influences? And who is living this out in such a way as to confront us all towards greater community wholeness?
SEVEN-PART DOCUSERIES in development
The making of this film has inspired something bigger: a seven-part docuseries exploring the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and how they demonstrate a decolonization of community development. We’ll follow Malcolm as he introduces us to seven organizations and community members who are manifesting these principles in their world - celebrating their determination, creativity, and power while reimagining a new blueprint for liberation.
JOIN US
Our goal is to begin filming for this limited series in 2024 - and we can do it with your help! To be a part of making Kwanzaa come to life, donate below and help us tell the stories of unsung heroes of the Black community of Portland and beyond.
