The Sunflower Tribe 🌻

Stories from Ujima Magazine

Damita’s Viewpoint

Ujima is Still Here. Still Learning. Still Telling Stories.

“Growth doesn’t always look like you thought it would. Sometimes growth simply means you’re still here, still learning, still telling the story.”

As Ujima celebrates 18 years, growth isn’t always about becoming bigger or doing more. Sometimes it’s looking back and realizing we kept going.  Ujima has had the privilege of telling the stories of people in our community—the Everyday Heroes who are making a difference, often without recognition.

We’ve learned. We’ve changed. We’ve grown. And we’re still here, and for that, I am grateful.

Feature Story

Eighteen Years of Storytelling and What It Has Taught Us

What can 18 years of telling community stories teach you? A lot.

This month’s feature is a reflection on Ujima’s journey—the people we’ve met, the lessons we’ve learned and the importance of preserving our stories.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking forward to what’s next.

Read the Feature Story → ujimamagazine.com

Stories from the Website

Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

Sometimes we’re so busy waiting for the weekend, the vacation or the next big thing that we overlook the life happening right in front of us.

Ujima Youth Contributing Writer, Destiny Miller, reminds us that joy can be found in ordinary moments—from enjoying a morning drink to taking a walk, listening to music or simply paying attention to what’s around us.

Her message is a good one for all of us: your life is happening now. Don’t miss it.

Read Finding Joy in Everyday Moments →

What We Love 🌻

Celebrating 18 Years Together

🌻 One of the things we’re loving this month is celebrating Ujima’s anniversary. 

🌻 We’re also enjoying sharing photos from our week. Each Ujima team member contributes a glimpse into their everyday life—the little moments, places and experiences that make up our weeks.

It’s another way for us to celebrate everyday matters.

Before We Go…

Eighteen years gives you plenty of reasons to look backward, but it also gives you a reason to look forward.

There are still stories to tell. There are still Everyday Heroes to recognize. There are still people in our community doing meaningful work that deserves to be seen.

Thank you to every writer, reader, supporter, community member and Everyday Hero who has been part of Ujima’s story and our Ujima family..

We’re still blooming. 🌻

Support Ujima

Supporting Ujima doesn’t always mean spending money. We would love for you to :

Read our stories. Share them. Tell someone about Ujima.

Every share helps another community story reach someone who may not have discovered it otherwise.

And if you’d like to support us in another way, visit the Ujima Shop and help us continue telling the stories of our community.

Don’t Forget To:

🌻 Watch for something new!

Ujima Magazine and Jacquie Ooh are coming together to create a new space for women who work a full-time job while also building a business, dream or passion after hours.

We know what it’s like to clock out of one job and clock into your dream.

More information about Clocked In and Called is coming soon.

And don’t forget to read, share and follow Ujima as we begin our 19th year of storytelling.

Keep Blooming 🌻

Damita Miller-Shanklin
Editor, Ujima Magazine