Black Love Day
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Black Love Day is an annual celebration that takes place February 13. Complementary to Valentine's Day (February 14), Black Love Day is meant to focus on self-love, connection, and preservation of culture, particularly in the African American community, rather than romantic love.[1]
Black Love Day was first celebrated in Washington, D.C., in 1993.[2] It was conceived by community organizer Ayo Handy-Kendi who, after seeing the film Malcolm X in the theatre, felt compelled by a higher power (called "the creator") to do something to foster unity.[2][3]
In 1994, after the death of her son to violence, Handy-Kendi added a "relationship ceremony" to the observance, in which someone chooses to forgive another who wronged them, or apologize for having wronged someone else.[2]
Observance
The symbol of Black Love Day is the akoma (heart), which represents love, unity, and patience in Asante culture.[4] Participants greet each other with the phrase nya akoma (get a heart, be patient).[5]
Each year the celebration has a different theme,[6] but is always based on five tenets: "love toward the Creator, love for self, love for the family, love within the Black community and love for Black people."[7][8]
