At his Bronx, NY, home, artist and stylist John Goodman brings meaningful, stylish touches to his celebration of this African American cultural holiday
by JENNY COMITA photos DYLAN CHANDLER styling JOHN GOODMAN
For New York City-based floral and events designer John Goodman, the end of Christmas marks the start of another celebration. The weeklong festival of Kwanzaa, which begins on December 26, was established in 1966 as a time for Black families to reflect on and rejoice in African American culture. On each of the seven nights, the Bronx native gathers with his mother, brothers, and other relatives to light the holiday’s symbolic red, black, and green candles; share stories about their ancestors; and talk about the holiday’s seven principles: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith).
“KWANZAA MEANS ‘FIRST FRUITS’ IN SWAHILI, SO I WANTED TO BRING IN SOME ELEMENTS OF THE HARVEST.” —JOHN GOODMAN
The last night, John says, “is the big party.” The Goodmans invite friends and extended family members to join them for a meal that includes dishes like collard greens, okra, and jambalaya—reflecting their Southern roots—and to exchange small gifts. John, who spends his days designing weddings as well as corporate events and installations for brands like J. Crew, is in charge of setting a beautiful table. His approach melds the aesthetic traditions of the holiday—African prints, earthy materials, bowls of fruit—with his modern, big-city sensibility. “I want it to feel ethnic but not so literal,” John says. “One great thing about this holiday is that there aren’t really any rules.”
Every family does Kwanzaa a little differently, but celebrations usually include the traditional symbols of the holiday. Each is known by its Swahili name and the meaning the object brings to the table.
PRODUCED BY: EDDIE ROSS