Kuumba = Creativity

In the Nguzo Saba, the Principle Kuumba (Creativity) is meant:
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. One can ask the question, how does “Creativity” and “leaving our community more beautiful than we inherited it” go together? It is not as difficult a question as we might think.

Communities can have their own unique look and feel. It all depends on how much creativity we bring to the table. Before we start to make our community unique, we need to have a clean slate. What do you do with a candy wrapper after you eat it? Do you throw it in the garbage or do you throw it on the ground? Just something simple as using a garbage can will make a neighborhood have a good look, a clean slate.

Graffiti = Unique Design Ideas

There are many graffiti artists that live among us. Some of them write obscene things on the walls they deface. Some make beautiful artwork but without the permission of those who own the building. What if these artists worked out a deal with business owners to do artistic work on their store fronts or building walls? Since most artists ARE unique, they would create their own brand that would make the building beautiful AND help them get noticed.

When we move into a building, we can think of creative things that will make the building look nice and BETTER than when we moved in. This gives the community a sense of ownership and creativity. Good habits create good karma. Good karma should yield financial success.

While these are some of the obvious ways to use the Principle of Kuumba, you can come up with other ways by using your imagination. Think of ideas that would make people want to be a part of your community and your network of people will grow exponentially.