Eat, Drink And Support Brooklyn’s Black-Owned Restaurants And Bars During Kwanzaa Crawl

Key Takeaways:

• Kwanzaa Crawl returns for its seventh year on December 26 in Brooklyn.
• The event supports Black-owned bars and restaurants, promoting economic empowerment.
• Founded by sisters Kerry Coddett and Krystal Payne, it has generated over $2 million in past events.
• This year marks the first sponsorship by Casamigos.
• The event embodies Kwanzaa principles such as Umoja (unity) and Ujamaa (cooperative economics).

Kwanzaa Crawl Returns to Brooklyn Streets

An Annual Celebration of Community and Culture

Kwanzaa Crawl is gearing up for its seventh year, set to take place on Thursday, December 26, uniting thousands in Brooklyn to celebrate Black diasporic culture and support Black-owned businesses.

More Than a Bar Crawl

Far beyond an average bar crawl, Kwanzaa Crawl is an exercise in community building and solidarity. “We have seen so many shifts in the social, political, and economic landscape this year alone that have made it difficult for business owners to continue operating, for people to live well,” said co-founder Krystal Payne. “Now more than ever before, our focus is steady on developing practical ways to enact change through cooperative economics centering a culture of joy and our local Black community and businesses.”

Founders Leading the Charge

Founded by actress, comedian, writer, and community activist Kerry Coddett and her sister, talent manager Krystal Payne, the event is dedicated to celebrating the diversity of Black diasporic culture. Since its inception, Kwanzaa Crawl has directly generated over $2 million in revenue for participating businesses, illustrating the profound impact of collective action.

Economic Empowerment in Action

Attendees have braved sunshine, rain, sleet, or snow to spread joy and Black dollars, embodying the principles of Kwanzaa such as Umoja (unity) and Ujamaa (cooperative economics). The event reinforces the power of communal support in fostering economic growth within the Black community.

This Year’s Highlights

For the first time, Kwanzaa Crawl is sponsored by Casamigos, a premium brand known for fostering moments of genuine connection. This partnership marks a significant milestone, reflecting the event’s growing influence and recognition.

Joining the Celebration

Participants eager to join the festivities must purchase tickets online prior to the event. Kwanzaa Crawl offers an opportunity to drink, be merry, and crawl responsibly, all while making a meaningful contribution to the community.

Rooted in Kwanzaa Principles

Born in 1966, Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday honoring African heritage, named from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.” The week-long celebration is rooted in bedrock principles such as Umoja (unity) and Ujamaa (cooperative economics), which Kwanzaa Crawl brings to life through its focus on community and economic empowerment.

Continuing the Journey

“I can’t help feeling we—as a city, as a country—are at a place that feels very similar to where we were when we started our incredible journey with our community to co-create the Crawl,” Payne reflected. The event continues to be a beacon of hope and solidarity, providing practical ways to enact change through cooperative economics.

How to Participate

To be part of Kwanzaa Crawl, revelers must purchase their tickets online prior to the event. For more information, to learn about the “rules to crawl by,” and to purchase tickets, participants are encouraged to visit the official website.

A Call to Action

As Kwanzaa Crawl prepares to transform Brooklyn’s streets into a vibrant celebration of culture and community, it invites everyone to join in spreading joy and supporting local Black businesses. Drink, be merry, and crawl responsibly!