History & Traditions
The Ndugu Nzinga community was founded in 1993 by Dr. Daniel "Omotosho" Black, a professor in the Atlanta University Center. Ndugu and Nzinga is a program run by Kayima, 501(c)(3). Initially populated by college students, our Atlanta-based community has produced many leaders and scholars in its more than 25-year history.
In 2009, Dr. L'Heureux "Dumi" Lewis-McCoy and Yaegel T. “Ligongo” Welch co-founded Ndugu Nzinga North. Dumi is a tenured professor at New York University and Ligongo is an actor on Broadway and television. Between the South and North, we are proud to boast a membership of over 250 people committed to making significant contributions in the fields of education, law, medicine, and the arts. Though still deeply rooted in Atlanta and New York City, we now celebrate a worldwide network of affiliates.
Ndugu
This Kiswahili term means "friend or brother"; and often refers to a group of conscious men who seek to promote integrity and honor in a community. As a collective, Ndugu seeks to redefine manhood in ways inclusive of all men and insists that every brother is a steward of character, beauty, and principle.
Nzinga
Founded one year after Ndugu, Nzinga means "entwined like the branches of a tree". Named in honor of Queen Nzinga of Angola, this component of the community represents the power, integrity, and strength of women. Nzinga is committed to redefining womanhood, upholding sisterhood, and promoting gender equality.
Our Traditions
We celebrate ancient cultural traditions by taking on African names as part of the initiation process. Each individual is given a specific name that affirms their unique spiritual qualities and can speak to their life's purpose. In addition, upon successful completion of the initiation process, each group is given a collective surname that denotes their particular journey. We also celebrate the African tradition of adornment by wearing traditional African garb. At Crossing, each group of initiates is given garb with unique colors and symbols on the cloth to tell the story of their collective journey process.
Crossed Journeys in the North
ORONDE: "ANOINTED AND APPOINTED"
This is the origin journey in the north. They began meeting as a book club and grew to be so much more.
CHUKWUEMEKA:"GOD HAS DONE SOMETHING REMARKABLE"
The second journey brought us something remarkable! This was the first journey with both Ndugu and Nzinga.
KIFO-WASTANI: "DeATH TO MEDIOCRITY"
The third journey came to teach us that in order to bring excellence, we must put mediocrity to death.
Hatari Yote: "Risk it All"
The fourth journey dared us to step outside of our comfort zone and risk it all to reach beyond our goals.
Kuponya Mbele: “Heal First, then move”
The fifth journey brought us into a new season where we decided to heal first and then move.
Wazaliwa: “Birthers of something new”
The sixth journey showed us the power of birthing something new by trying new things and re-engaging in fulfilling practices.
