Ujima Magazine is celebrating eight years of being a part of the Austin community. We have shared many stories about the everyday hero and we have much more to tell.

We are so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be able to focus on the Black community and the great people that live and thrive in Austin.

It is important for us to continue to introduce and promote individuals that are making a difference, building our community and just being who they are. We thank each of you and we value your continued support.

Throughout the month, we will share links to our archive and share the magazine with you. At the close of our celebration, we will share with you what UJIMA is looking at in the near future.

We want to thank some people who have been an important part of Ujima throughout the years. They are Harry Shanklin, Bernice Miller, Margaret Linnen, Margaret Edwards, Chiquitta Harris, Shametra McGregor, Kai Dupe, Dr. Anthony Johnson, Naomi Richard, Adolph Evans, and many of the contributing writers that gave their time and creativity to Ujima Magazine.

We appreciate all of you and we look forward to your continued support.

A Quick Question and Answer with the Founder, Damita Miller-Shanklin

How did Ujima Magazine come about?

Ujima Magazine came about after I left my job of 17 years. I wanted to do something in writing and after looking around and realizing, there was not a magazine that reflected the Black community. There was not a magazine around Austin that showed a person that looked like me (consistently) on the cover. I wanted to share our stories, our dreams, our accomplishments.

What does the name mean?

It took me a few weeks to come up with the name. I was looking for something meaningful to the Black community. When I read the seven Kwanzaa principles, Ujima stood out. To paraphrase, it means to be work collectively and be responsible and that meant to me working together in my community and being responsible to my community.

What has been your favorite part of Ujima?

All the people I have met and shared their stories with all of you. I also like being my own boss having something that is mine that I built from an idea. I still work hard to make Ujima the magazine I can. No matter what road I take in the future, Ujima will always be my primary focus.

What have you learned about having your own business?

For one, it is hard work. Running any business is hard work. But with the hard work comes freedom, creativity, success. Ujima is successful in my eyes, despite some who may see it differently, because I have learned to be flexible but keeping to my vision and mission. I love having something that I can share with my community. Ujima has always been about the community with a special interest in the Black community. I want the rest of the world to understand how powerful, beautiful, creative, successful and most of all dreamers people of color can be.

How will Ujima celebrate this month?

I plan to share our archive of magazines for everyone to read and enjoy. I want to remind the community of people we met and just look back  and enjoy the memories.

What’s in the future for Ujima?

Ujima will continue online until we can reach a much bigger goal that we are working towards. But while we work on this big goal, we will continue to tell stories about people who make a difference in our community, be more visible, be a resource and enjoy being a part of our Black community.

How can we help?

Tell someone about Ujima. Let them know we are an online magazine. Follow our website at http://www.Ujimamagazine.wordpress.com, follow us on social media, and let us know if there is someone you feel we should interview.
You can also support us by taking a content ad with us when you have an event, or you want to promote your business or product.

We depend on the community to keep Ujima alive through word of mouth and interacting with us on social media.

Thanks for all your continued support.

#publishersjournal #ujimamagazine #onlinemagazine #magazinelife #collectiveworkandresponsibliity #ujimabirthday #celebration #eightyears #september2016