Our Roots:

Ujima Magazine is an idea that comes out of quitting my job and wanting to be a writer. I wanted to tell stories about our Black Community and record our history. I had the opportunity to work with the late Akwasi Evans, of NOKOA Newspaper, and I knew I had a place to share stories of our community as well. 

Ujima Magazine was founded in September 2008. Our mission is to tell inspirational stories and highlight the “everyday heroes.” We introduce people each month that make a difference or an impact in our community. Ujima remains small when it comes to members of the staff. The core team consists of Eliza Edwards, who is our Operational Manager/IG, Chiquitta Harris, our Graphic Designer, and Mary Linnen, our Editor/FB. We have worked together since the beginning which has provided continuity in building a brand and a working team with the same mission. We have great contributing writers that bring their perspective on different subjects that add to the voice of the magazine. We have Jacquie OOh Johnson, Minister Sonya Hosey, most recently Aubrie Edmond and Christina Gobert. I’m so glad to have them aboard because the messages they share are meant to educate and elevate our readers. I thank our past contributors as well. Madelyn Patterson is also a collaborator and marketing manager that recently joined Ujima Magazine. 

Finding Our Way:

Over the last fifteen years, Ujima has grown in different ways. There have been several incidents where I had to make hard decisions based on my time, budget and growth. Going to the digital platform changed the game for us because it opened up new audiences and readers. It was nice having a printed magazine but it was realized, much later, it limited the reach of readers and people becoming aware of the brand. Awareness and branding is very important to me. Ujima remains resilient and it is seen by just the fact of celebrating 15 years. It has not been easy to keep going. But because sharing stories of Black People is so important, that keeps the magazine and the excitement going for me. When a person is interviewed, I always learn something and if I learn I feel whoever reads the story will learn something new as well. That’s exciting. I have mentioned it before, Ujima Magazine is a part of the legacy of keeping our history alive and telling stories that people in the future will read and get an idea of who we were and what we did during our time here on earth. Just as we do now with our ancestry history. 

What’s Next?

Ujima Magazine is a small business and my way of life. I live and breathe Ujima. It is my lifeline to the community and the people in it. Moving forward Ujima will continue to focus on our partnership goals, telling stories and reaching new readers. But collaborating with other people in our community that share a similar mission is the next step in our plan. Ujima has to be a part of the community and not just tell the stories. 

Ujima Magazine will grow by being bold, taking chances and improving our branding through podcasting, having a more visual presence and taking on new ways of being a part of the Black community. 

As we celebrate our 15 years, Ujima wants to say Thank you! 

 And remember to Embrace Your Community.