Photo courtesy of Lawrielle West
Lawrielle West is a dedicated content curator known for her exceptional work promoting meaningful celebrations of cultural heritage and history. She is the visionary founder and CEO of KwanzaaMe, a local entity that creates and curates content and products that honor and celebrate diverse cultural traditions. Her passion for bringing people together through commemoration and education has cemented her as a leading figure in the movement for cultural understanding and appreciation.
Soon after West began incorporating Kwanzaa traditions into her household celebrations, she noticed a need for continued acknowledgment and support for the holiday in her community. Motivated to address this void, she embarked on a mission to raise awareness about Kwanzaa and create opportunities for her community to unite and honor the holiday’s principles and traditions through her kits.
“I wanted to provide something handcrafted, something modern, updated, and engaging for people that want to connect with Kwanzaa because it’s the holiday that started in 1966, so it’s fairly new,” West said.
West creates Kwanza kits that include instructions on celebrating, activities, and candles. West’s commitment to preserving the authenticity of Kwanzaa is evident in her handcrafting of kinaras, which are also included in the kits. She personally sands, assembles, and hand paints each one, pouring her love and attention into the process. This dedication is a testament to her passion for Kwanzaa and her desire to share its significance with others.
“I think it is the most authentic when you get a handcrafted kinaras made by a Black woman in a Black mecca, Detroit, ” West said. “I’m excited to be able to connect with people at the African World Festival.”
Juneteenth and Kwanzaa play crucial roles in celebrating African American culture, history, and contributions, fostering a deeper understanding of the African American experience and promoting unity and pride within the community.
The essential symbols of Kwanzaa, like the Kinara (Candle Holder), Mkeka (Mat), Muhindi (corn symbolizing the children), Mazao (fruit symbolizing the harvest), and Zawadi (gifts), are often used in the tradition. The seven principles are Umoja (Unity) , Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) ,Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) ,Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) ,Nia (Purpose) ,Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
“I realized that a lot of people celebrated Juneteenth for the first time three years ago. Corporations, individuals, and organizations are celebrating, recognizing, and learning about Juneteenth.” West said.
“Juneteenth is about how we celebrate our ancestors’ freedom, and Kwanzea is how we plan our own. It’s about seven principles about how we stand together, how we support each other, and how we commit to showing up for each other in our communities.”
West seeks to raise extensive awareness and foster a deep understanding of Kwanzaa to ensure that every household, regardless of racial, economic, or geographical distinctions, can fully engage with and commemorate this significant cultural holiday.
“I’m excited to just use my community and network that I’m already connected to to bring this meaningful work to the table.”
