The Ujima Model: The Alchemy of Black American Activists

The Ujima Model
 
Developed by Dr. Joniesha Hickson, The Ujima Model is an Afrocentric framework that explores how young Black Americans develop activist identities in response to racial trauma. It views this journey as cyclical, non-linear, and deeply rooted in both spirituality and the principle of Ujima — collective work and responsibility.
 
At its core, the model outlines three key stages:
 
Encountering Racist Triggers – Moments that awaken a racial consciousness through harm or injustice
Grappling with Racial Trauma – The emotional and psychological processing of systemic racism
Being and Becoming a Black Activist – The ongoing transformation of identity through resistance, purpose, and community care
 
Two vital forces shape this process:
 
Nurturing Spirituality, which supports healing and guidance
Embracing Ujima, a Kiswahili principle that affirms the power of collective struggle and shared responsibility in liberation work
 
From student organizing to grassroots healing spaces, The Ujima Model offers a culturally grounded lens to understand how Black activists are shaped by — and rise through — the realities of racial trauma.