Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:55:46 -0400 https://thekwanzaatable.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Tonya M Matthews yes b98dcb61-c6a4-52e5-b402-663facf2115f Dr. Tonya M Matthews episodic false Annual podcast for Kwanzaa storytelling and reflections. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Storytelling, Kwanzaa, social justice, equity, folk tales, African American, African Dr. Tonya M Matthews https://storage.buzzsprout.com/u6zqqhozoh1q12uh3sz0lgx28i1t?.jpg Dr Tonya M. Matthews IMANI! Kwanzaa Day 7 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

IMANI! is the principle of the day - faith. In the context of Kwanzaa the principle of faith refers to faith in people, faith in a person's ability to contribute to the betterment of their community. And with such faith comes awesome responsibility.

So we conclude this year's Kwanzaa Table circling back to where we began with another piece of the story of the recent presidential delegation trip to Angola. The delegation included several African Americans and members of the African diaspora who now have jobs, obligations, and organizations that do the work of building, creating, and sustaining black communities and black history and culture. These descendants of enslaved people or descendants of those who were left behind as their people were taken away from them and enslaved have not only survived, but have (through generations of commitment) risen to great heights in their careers and in their lives - and from these great heights they continue to pull their communities and surrounding communities forward.

So as an example of the principle of Imani in action, I leave you with an article that talks about how this trip renewed fire and faith in the need to teach black history (in America) to and for everyone. I share this article because of a photograph halfway through the story that includes myself and several colleagues laughing over some bit of our conversation while we are seated at the former site of a transatlantic slave trading port, looking across the ocean towards the site of the museum I lead which is also located at the site of a former transatlantic slave trading port. This moment is a stark reminder that though we are indeed stewards of the history that holds the trials, the trauma, and the brutality of slavery and enslavement, we are also the stewards of the joy, the resilience, and the faith that has powered us through. Yes, with faith it all comes full circle. Habari gani!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/26/africa-trip-inspires-protect-black-history-america/76941360007/

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

IMANI! is the principle of the day - faith. In the context of Kwanzaa the principle of faith refers to faith in people, faith in a person's ability to contribute to the betterment of their community. And with such faith comes awesome responsibility.

So we conclude this year's Kwanzaa Table circling back to where we began with another piece of the story of the recent presidential delegation trip to Angola. The delegation included several African Americans and members of the African diaspora who now have jobs, obligations, and organizations that do the work of building, creating, and sustaining black communities and black history and culture. These descendants of enslaved people or descendants of those who were left behind as their people were taken away from them and enslaved have not only survived, but have (through generations of commitment) risen to great heights in their careers and in their lives - and from these great heights they continue to pull their communities and surrounding communities forward.

So as an example of the principle of Imani in action, I leave you with an article that talks about how this trip renewed fire and faith in the need to teach black history (in America) to and for everyone. I share this article because of a photograph halfway through the story that includes myself and several colleagues laughing over some bit of our conversation while we are seated at the former site of a transatlantic slave trading port, looking across the ocean towards the site of the museum I lead which is also located at the site of a former transatlantic slave trading port. This moment is a stark reminder that though we are indeed stewards of the history that holds the trials, the trauma, and the brutality of slavery and enslavement, we are also the stewards of the joy, the resilience, and the faith that has powered us through. Yes, with faith it all comes full circle. Habari gani!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/26/africa-trip-inspires-protect-black-history-america/76941360007/

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16366040 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 285 3 7 full false KUUMBA! Kwanzaa Day 6 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

KUUMBA! Creativity is the word of the day. And today I'm reflecting on the good work of my people - the "BLERD," the Black Nerds. Yes we exist! And yes we are creative!

In the context of the principle of kuumba, creativity is not about being creative for creativeness sake. The principal demands that we use our skills, our gifts, our ability to imagine things new, unseen, and beautiful to move our communities forward. The goal of this principle being to leave the community better than when we found it. Embedded within this principle is the expectation of change and driving concepts of justice, repair, and restoration.

Of course, this does not exclude using classic forms of creativity - such as art, fashion, food, architecture, even community redevelopment and park design! - but kuumba allows us to go much farther and broader as we consider ways to power our communities through creative change.

So for today's modern expression of Kwanzaa principle, I  highlight Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League. In the snippet I'm sharing with you, she combines her knowledge of algorithms and AI with her penchant for poetry, alongside her genius for breaking down complex concepts into terms we can all understand as she shares her poem "AI, Ain't I A Woman." In this video, Dr. Joy calls to task the algorithmic bias in facial recognition software that constantly misidentifies black women as objects, as animals, and as men. In doing so, she is not only creatively pushing for change for the betterment of the African American community - but also for the betterment of her adopted communities of computer scientists and AI creators.

Scientists do their research. And poets make you listen. And those in the space of kuumba can bring these creatives together for progress.

Sharing Dr Joy Buolamwini performing "AI, Ain't I A Woman" - watch it full screen.
https://youtu.be/QxuyfWoVV98?feature=shared

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

KUUMBA! Creativity is the word of the day. And today I'm reflecting on the good work of my people - the "BLERD," the Black Nerds. Yes we exist! And yes we are creative!

In the context of the principle of kuumba, creativity is not about being creative for creativeness sake. The principal demands that we use our skills, our gifts, our ability to imagine things new, unseen, and beautiful to move our communities forward. The goal of this principle being to leave the community better than when we found it. Embedded within this principle is the expectation of change and driving concepts of justice, repair, and restoration.

Of course, this does not exclude using classic forms of creativity - such as art, fashion, food, architecture, even community redevelopment and park design! - but kuumba allows us to go much farther and broader as we consider ways to power our communities through creative change.

So for today's modern expression of Kwanzaa principle, I  highlight Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League. In the snippet I'm sharing with you, she combines her knowledge of algorithms and AI with her penchant for poetry, alongside her genius for breaking down complex concepts into terms we can all understand as she shares her poem "AI, Ain't I A Woman." In this video, Dr. Joy calls to task the algorithmic bias in facial recognition software that constantly misidentifies black women as objects, as animals, and as men. In doing so, she is not only creatively pushing for change for the betterment of the African American community - but also for the betterment of her adopted communities of computer scientists and AI creators.

Scientists do their research. And poets make you listen. And those in the space of kuumba can bring these creatives together for progress.

Sharing Dr Joy Buolamwini performing "AI, Ain't I A Woman" - watch it full screen.
https://youtu.be/QxuyfWoVV98?feature=shared

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16362243 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500 367 3 6 full false NIA! Kwanza Day 5 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

NIA! is the principle of the day - and it means purpose. The principle of NIA puts everything we do in perspective and suggests that everything we do can be done with purpose. As simple as carrying bags for your elders or as complicated as founding your own non-profit... The principal of NIA directs us to direct our actions toward the collective betterment of our community. This sense of purpose requires us to reckon with the fact that members of communities, such as the African American community, that have been marginalized, discriminated against, or historically abused, must constantly and consistently act with purpose. And that purpose is to continue the work nurturing, rebuilding, sustaining, and preserving our community and our culture. Spoiler alert: The same can be said for Allies of such communities.

Finding your life's purpose is a journey, but acting with purpose is a daily event.

What will you do today with the intent to support and build community and culture?

In the news inspiration? How about a 4-year-old that feeds the homeless? ( Yeah, we all need to level up just a bit!)
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/austin-perine-alabama-4-year-old-superhero-using-his-power-to-feed-the-homeless/

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

NIA! is the principle of the day - and it means purpose. The principle of NIA puts everything we do in perspective and suggests that everything we do can be done with purpose. As simple as carrying bags for your elders or as complicated as founding your own non-profit... The principal of NIA directs us to direct our actions toward the collective betterment of our community. This sense of purpose requires us to reckon with the fact that members of communities, such as the African American community, that have been marginalized, discriminated against, or historically abused, must constantly and consistently act with purpose. And that purpose is to continue the work nurturing, rebuilding, sustaining, and preserving our community and our culture. Spoiler alert: The same can be said for Allies of such communities.

Finding your life's purpose is a journey, but acting with purpose is a daily event.

What will you do today with the intent to support and build community and culture?

In the news inspiration? How about a 4-year-old that feeds the homeless? ( Yeah, we all need to level up just a bit!)
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/austin-perine-alabama-4-year-old-superhero-using-his-power-to-feed-the-homeless/

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16355324 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500 167 3 5 full false UJAAMA! Kwanzaa Day 4 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

UJAAMA! is the word of the day. Ujaama means cooperative economics. Today's reflection is short and sweet because many of us have a core understanding of what "cooperative economics" means. But in the season of Kwanzaa when we celebrate the expression of cultural values particularly significant to the African American community - values that have sustained, propelled, and inspired generations of the African Diaspora here in the United States - it's worth a moment to pause about the particular nature of cooperative economics within the principle of Ujaama. 

Ujaama moves us beyond the concept of business for business sake - even if it is an extraordinary business! The principle of Ujaama requires that a business support, uplift, serve, and be a tool in meaningfully sustaining our community, as well as, being "good for the culture." 

The first story of the day to reflect this principle has origins dating back so long, that this business's founding doesn't meet the criteria of using current news stories to elevate the principles of Kwanzaa! But the "why and how" of their survival through 2020 - moving them into their third generation of ownership - most certainly does. Introducing Lee's Flower Shop: https://www.leesflowersdc.com/history

The second story is about a woman who returned home and started a non-profit farm - that is so much more than a farm - in the middle of the hood (because where else would you build a farm that matters?). Introducing Fresh Future Farm: https://charlestonmag.com/features/at_fresh_future_farm_germaine_jenkins_cultivates_a_healthy_well_fed_future_for_underserved

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

UJAAMA! is the word of the day. Ujaama means cooperative economics. Today's reflection is short and sweet because many of us have a core understanding of what "cooperative economics" means. But in the season of Kwanzaa when we celebrate the expression of cultural values particularly significant to the African American community - values that have sustained, propelled, and inspired generations of the African Diaspora here in the United States - it's worth a moment to pause about the particular nature of cooperative economics within the principle of Ujaama. 

Ujaama moves us beyond the concept of business for business sake - even if it is an extraordinary business! The principle of Ujaama requires that a business support, uplift, serve, and be a tool in meaningfully sustaining our community, as well as, being "good for the culture." 

The first story of the day to reflect this principle has origins dating back so long, that this business's founding doesn't meet the criteria of using current news stories to elevate the principles of Kwanzaa! But the "why and how" of their survival through 2020 - moving them into their third generation of ownership - most certainly does. Introducing Lee's Flower Shop: https://www.leesflowersdc.com/history

The second story is about a woman who returned home and started a non-profit farm - that is so much more than a farm - in the middle of the hood (because where else would you build a farm that matters?). Introducing Fresh Future Farm: https://charlestonmag.com/features/at_fresh_future_farm_germaine_jenkins_cultivates_a_healthy_well_fed_future_for_underserved

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16351418 Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500 327 3 4 full false UJIMA! Kwanzaa Day 3 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

UJIMA, collective work and responsibility, is the principle of the day. "Education" is a collection of experiences - from the people we know, to the experiences we have, to the books we read, to the classes and classrooms (formal and informal) we learn from - and it is the community's responsibility to make sure that we have as many of those experiences as possible. It is the ultimate example of a community's activation of the principle of ujima.

So for today's modern take, we'll be courting some good trouble! As we take a moment to reflect on education as the epitome of a community's collective work and responsibility, I delve into the challenge of searching for success stories in pushing back on book bans. Curiously harder than it should be since - yes! - the stories are out there. Let's see if you can outsmart your search engine's algorithm, too!

UJIMA inspiration in action:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-happened-when-students-led-fights-to-reverse-book-bans/2023/07

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

UJIMA, collective work and responsibility, is the principle of the day. "Education" is a collection of experiences - from the people we know, to the experiences we have, to the books we read, to the classes and classrooms (formal and informal) we learn from - and it is the community's responsibility to make sure that we have as many of those experiences as possible. It is the ultimate example of a community's activation of the principle of ujima.

So for today's modern take, we'll be courting some good trouble! As we take a moment to reflect on education as the epitome of a community's collective work and responsibility, I delve into the challenge of searching for success stories in pushing back on book bans. Curiously harder than it should be since - yes! - the stories are out there. Let's see if you can outsmart your search engine's algorithm, too!

UJIMA inspiration in action:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-happened-when-students-led-fights-to-reverse-book-bans/2023/07

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16348210 Sat, 28 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500 429 3 3 full false Kujichagilia! Kwanzaa Day 2 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

In today's episode we delve into the principal of KUJICHAGULIA - self-determination - with pop culture. Many of us have tuned in to the new Netflix movie The Six Triple Eight and on this second day of Kwanzaa we peel back the layers of cinematic storytelling and explore a seminal story of self-determination. The story of Major Charity Adams Early and the all female African American battalion that she led is definitely an untold legend that we should all know. The principal of Kujichagilia is not simply deciding who you will be and what you will do; it is making that decision and committing to powering through the naysayers, "ism's" and opposition even when you are the first, the only, or the "odd."

Beyond the movie, check out these two ways to delve into more: 

An article from the National Museum of the Army, that pulls few punches: https://www.thenmusa.org/articles/a-different-kind-of-victory-the-6888th-central-postal-directory-battalion/

A quick review from the National Park Service, that is a good prompter for family conversation and includes individual mini bios of several members of the battalion: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/6888th.htm

(And yes, I do also recommend popcorn, a couple of glasses of wine, and good company for a viewing of the movie!)

(p.s. Major Early wrote a book about here experiences... look it up! How about that for your March book club read?)

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

In today's episode we delve into the principal of KUJICHAGULIA - self-determination - with pop culture. Many of us have tuned in to the new Netflix movie The Six Triple Eight and on this second day of Kwanzaa we peel back the layers of cinematic storytelling and explore a seminal story of self-determination. The story of Major Charity Adams Early and the all female African American battalion that she led is definitely an untold legend that we should all know. The principal of Kujichagilia is not simply deciding who you will be and what you will do; it is making that decision and committing to powering through the naysayers, "ism's" and opposition even when you are the first, the only, or the "odd."

Beyond the movie, check out these two ways to delve into more: 

An article from the National Museum of the Army, that pulls few punches: https://www.thenmusa.org/articles/a-different-kind-of-victory-the-6888th-central-postal-directory-battalion/

A quick review from the National Park Service, that is a good prompter for family conversation and includes individual mini bios of several members of the battalion: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/6888th.htm

(And yes, I do also recommend popcorn, a couple of glasses of wine, and good company for a viewing of the movie!)

(p.s. Major Early wrote a book about here experiences... look it up! How about that for your March book club read?)

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16345451 Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0500 411 3 2 full false Umoja! Kwanzaa Day 1 2024 Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

In today's episode, I reflect on how the principal of Umoja -Unity - has resonance for the concept of reunification. For our thoughts and inspiration, I've shared a USAToday article describing Dr Wanda Tucker's return to Angola.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/26/ancestors-enslaved-angola-wanda-tucker-returned-as-guest-of-president/76971715007/

]]> Greetings Good People! This year's Kwanzaa Table will feature "tales of the day", e.g. stories and lessons out of the days headlines that help us to remember that the principles of Kwanzaa do not simply honor the past or prepare for the future, but also define the core of how we can embrace and exist today.

In today's episode, I reflect on how the principal of Umoja -Unity - has resonance for the concept of reunification. For our thoughts and inspiration, I've shared a USAToday article describing Dr Wanda Tucker's return to Angola.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/26/ancestors-enslaved-angola-wanda-tucker-returned-as-guest-of-president/76971715007/

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-16341601 Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500 264 3 1 full false Seventh Day Reflections - Imani 2023 Imani: Faith! Faith is the substance that holds all the principles together. We have faith in the work, the culture, the principles that guide us... and each other.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Imani: Faith! Faith is the substance that holds all the principles together. We have faith in the work, the culture, the principles that guide us... and each other.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-14243028 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 77 full false Sixth Day Reflections - Kuumba 2023 Kuumba: Creativity - but this principle signifies creativity with a purpose! And this is a time to embrace our creative instincts with the fearlessness of a child.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Kuumba: Creativity - but this principle signifies creativity with a purpose! And this is a time to embrace our creative instincts with the fearlessness of a child.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-14225567 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0500 93 2 6 full false Fifth Day Reflections - Nia 2023 Nia: Purpose is one of the most powerful principles of Kwanzaa -and of life. Let's unify in common goal to restore our Black culture and history to its original prestige.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Nia: Purpose is one of the most powerful principles of Kwanzaa -and of life. Let's unify in common goal to restore our Black culture and history to its original prestige.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-14224267 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 22:00:00 -0500 90 2 5 full false Fourth Day Reflections - Ujamaa 2023 Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics. What if we took the philosophy of Ujamaa beyond a day or a season... and into our daily lives. Cooperative Economics requires intentionality.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics. What if we took the philosophy of Ujamaa beyond a day or a season... and into our daily lives. Cooperative Economics requires intentionality.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-14218618 Fri, 29 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500 96 2 4 full false Third Day Reflections - Ujima 2023 Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility means not only taking responsibility for our own work, but taking responsibility for making the work of the Collective possbible.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility means not only taking responsibility for our own work, but taking responsibility for making the work of the Collective possbible.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Buzzsprout-14217061 Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:00:00 -0500 87 2 3 full false Second Day Reflections - Kujichagulia 2023 Kujichagulia: Self-determination requires authentic choice and is put into practice through discernment and discipline.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Kujichagulia: Self-determination requires authentic choice and is put into practice through discernment and discipline.

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-14207645 Wed, 27 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0500 136 2 2 full false First Day Reflections - Umoja 2023 Umoja: Unity starts at home - and our differences make the difference!

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Umoja: Unity starts at home - and our differences make the difference!

The Kwanzaa Table returns with Season 2! Pause for a few moments each day with thought-provoking reflections with Dr. Tonya Matthews, poet and 21st century philosopher  griot. Some days sobering or provocative and some days quirky and worth a laugh, but always authentic and worth a few moments during your Kwanzaa season. Habari Gani! Thanks for tuning in.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-14206943 Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:00:00 -0500 102 2 1 full false The Seventh Day - IMANI 2021 The final day of Kwanzaa this season: The 7th Day! The principle is IMANI, meaning faith, and is possibly the most important principle of all. Join Dr. Tonya Matthews as we close out this Kwanzaa season with a tale of faith in family and friendship.

]]> The final day of Kwanzaa this season: The 7th Day! The principle is IMANI, meaning faith, and is possibly the most important principle of all. Join Dr. Tonya Matthews as we close out this Kwanzaa season with a tale of faith in family and friendship.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9813181 Sat, 01 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500 530 full false The Sixth Day - KUUMBA 2021 The principle of the 6th day of Kwanzaa is KUUMBA! The very definition of this podcast. Join host Dr. Tonya Matthews as she shares a story reflecting one of her favorite principles.

]]> The principle of the 6th day of Kwanzaa is KUUMBA! The very definition of this podcast. Join host Dr. Tonya Matthews as she shares a story reflecting one of her favorite principles.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9813133 Fri, 31 Dec 2021 17:00:00 -0500 570 1 6 full false The Fifth Day - NIA 2021 On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, we reflect on the principle of NIA - Purpose. Purpose is about focus, but it does not mean we stick our heads in our shells and ignore the rest of the world. Join host Dr. Tonya Matthews as she shares the story of The Great Tree.

]]> On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, we reflect on the principle of NIA - Purpose. Purpose is about focus, but it does not mean we stick our heads in our shells and ignore the rest of the world. Join host Dr. Tonya Matthews as she shares the story of The Great Tree.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9807162 Thu, 30 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500 696 1 5 full false The Fourth Day - UJAMAA 2021 On this 4th Day of Kwanzaa, the principal of the day is UJAMAA - Collective Economics. Join host Dr. Tonya Matthews as she shares two stories of two feasts to take us through the midpoint of Kwanzaa.

]]> On this 4th Day of Kwanzaa, the principal of the day is UJAMAA - Collective Economics. Join host Dr. Tonya Matthews as she shares two stories of two feasts to take us through the midpoint of Kwanzaa.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9800709 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0500 654 1 4 full false The Third Day - UJIMA 2021 Today's principal of UJIMA is illustrated with the talk of the First Talking Drum, read by our host Dr. Tonya Matthews.

]]> Today's principal of UJIMA is illustrated with the talk of the First Talking Drum, read by our host Dr. Tonya Matthews.

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9799880 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 17:00:00 -0500 564 1 3 full false The Second Day - KUJICHAGULIA 2021 Today's principal is KUJICHAGULIA - SELF-DETERMINATION. Host Tonya Matthews devotes this episode to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and shares an Xhosa fairy tale of the Five-Headed Chief in today's story lesson. 

]]> Today's principal is KUJICHAGULIA - SELF-DETERMINATION. Host Tonya Matthews devotes this episode to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and shares an Xhosa fairy tale of the Five-Headed Chief in today's story lesson. 

]]> Dr. Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9794234 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 14:00:00 -0500 695 1 2 full false The First Day - UMOJA 2021 A tale of UMOJA-UNITY  - Anansi and His Sons, an African Folktale - read by host, Tonya  Matthews.

]]> A tale of UMOJA-UNITY  - Anansi and His Sons, an African Folktale - read by host, Tonya  Matthews.

]]> Tonya M Matthews Buzzsprout-9790666 Sun, 26 Dec 2021 18:00:00 -0500 415 1 1 full false