Kwanzaa is now observed as a national holiday by countless people in homes schools and public and private institutions across the United States. Like African American History Month, Kwanzaa is a part of the cultural fabric of America and is a special time for African Americans to celebrate the joys of family and community, to African their humanity, to take inventory of what they have accomplished, beginning with the family and extending to the national African American community, and to recommit themselves to practicing the guiding principles of family and community- the Seven Principles.

PRINCIPLE 7. HOPE AND CONFIDENCE

IMANI — FAITH: To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders.

The seventh principle is belief in ourselves as individuals and as a people. Further, it is a commitment to the development of the family and the national African American community. African America’s goal of freedom rests significantly on our belief in our own ability and right to control our own destiny. Without Imani (faith), there is no possibility of victory.

The Imani principle teaches us to have confidence in ourselves, parents, teachers and leaders and community. Mary McLeod Bethune, noted educator and ambassador says: “Without faith nothing is possible; with faith nothing is impossible. Faith empowers us to see beyond the immediate.

• Start with yourself- Faith as the key motivator, in particular during times of crisis and adversity. Keeping the faith, however, means doing “work”. Faith without work is simply as abstract thought. Faith express through work becomes the motivating force which causes us to keep pushing on when there is no evidence of the anticipated outcome. Practice being more hopeful and record your practice in your journal.

• Start with your Family- Your families are an example and indicator of how well your community is functioning. Therefore, work on building a more hopeful family. Be able to express your confidence among your family members and do it often-by word of mouth, a letter, a card, or a hug.

• Start with teachers- Having faith is your teachers expresses itself in parents and students doing their best (the principle Kuumba/Creativity) to learn and achieve. Make a commitment to be more supportive of teachers and your children, demonstrating in practice, the faith principle.
• Faith Kwanzaa Commitment: Each family member or student declares opening declares what he/she will do to demonstrate more self-confidence and to exhibit more belief in their parents or teachers.