How This Challenge Works
This challenge honors the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) by connecting each principle to intentional positive influence—both online and in your community.
Each day, you'll focus on one principle and complete a specific action that embodies it. You'll have both an online action (something to post or share) and an offline action (something to do in your community).
Remember: Choose90 is about making 90% of your influence positive. That doesn't mean ignoring problems. It means choosing to be part of the solution.
90% doesn't mean 100%: You're allowed to have bad days, express frustration, and be human. The goal is intentionality, not perfection.
The Principle
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Your Challenge
- Online: Share a post that brings people together. Highlight unity in your community, family, or workplace. Share a story of people working together despite differences.
- Offline: Reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a while. Have a conversation that builds connection, not division.
Example Post:
"Day 1 of the Kwanzaa Choose90 Challenge: Umoja (Unity). Today I'm celebrating the ways our community comes together—whether it's supporting local businesses, volunteering together, or simply showing up for each other. Unity isn't about being the same. It's about choosing connection over division. #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Umoja"
Reflection
How can your words and actions create unity rather than division?
The Principle
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
Your Challenge
- Online: Post about a goal you're setting for yourself or a boundary you're establishing. Declare your intention to be intentional about your influence.
- Offline: Write down three things you want to change about how you show up online or in your community. Make a plan.
Example Post:
"Day 2: Kujichagulia (Self-Determination). I'm choosing to define my own influence. Starting today, I'm committing to make 90% of what I share positive and purposeful. Not because I'm ignoring problems, but because I'm choosing to be part of the solution. This is my declaration. #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Kujichagulia"
Reflection
What story do you want to tell about yourself? How can you take control of your narrative?
The Principle
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and solve them together.
Your Challenge
- Online: Share a resource, offer help, or amplify someone who needs support. Show that we're in this together.
- Offline: Do one act of service for your community—volunteer, donate, or help a neighbor.
Example Post:
"Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility). Today I'm sharing a resource that helped me [insert resource]. If you know someone who could benefit, please pass it along. We're stronger when we lift each other up. What's one way you're supporting your community today? #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Ujima"
Reflection
How can you take responsibility for the health of your community, both online and offline?
The Principle
To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Your Challenge
- Online: Amplify a Black-owned business, creator, or artist. Share their work, their story, or their products.
- Offline: Support a Black-owned business in your community. Make a purchase, leave a review, or refer a friend.
Example Post:
"Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics). Today I'm highlighting [Business/Creator Name]—an incredible Black-owned [business type] in our community. Check them out at [link/handle]. When we support each other, we all win. #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Ujamaa #SupportBlackBusiness"
Reflection
How can you use your platform to support economic empowerment in your community?
The Principle
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Your Challenge
- Online: Share your purpose or mission. What drives you to make a positive impact? What legacy do you want to leave?
- Offline: Spend time reflecting on your purpose. Write it down. Share it with someone you trust.
Example Post:
"Day 5: Nia (Purpose). My purpose is to [your purpose]. Every day, I try to live that out by [how you live it]. What's your purpose? How are you using your influence to build something greater? #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Nia"
Reflection
How does your daily influence align with your deeper purpose?
The Principle
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Your Challenge
- Online: Create and share something beautiful—art, words, music, a meaningful story, or a moment of inspiration.
- Offline: Create something that adds beauty or value to your space or community.
Example Post:
"Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity). Today I'm sharing [your creation]—something I made that I hope brings a little beauty or inspiration to your day. How are you using your creativity to make the world better? #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Kuumba"
Reflection
How can your unique creativity inspire others and make the world better?
The Principle
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Your Challenge
- Online: Post about hope, faith, or belief in your community's future. Share a story of resilience, progress, or possibility.
- Offline: Express gratitude to someone who has inspired you or made a difference in your life.
Example Post:
"Day 7: Imani (Faith). As we close this Kwanzaa season, I'm holding onto faith—faith in our community, faith in our ability to grow, and faith that our positive influence matters. Thank you to everyone who joined me on this journey. The work continues. #Kwanzaa #Choose90 #Imani"
Reflection
What gives you faith in the future? How can you share that hope with others?