Embracing Change

In early 2024, we (Belinda, Ronda, and Kũi) held our first-ever in-person BRK Ujima retreat. Having established this organisation three years earlier, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, all our interactions—both internal and client-facing—had been entirely virtual. This meet-up provided us with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the work we had accomplished, envision the future, and plan how we wanted to shape it.

One of our core values is a commitment to learning and unlearning. During the retreat, we dedicated time to thinking deeply about the changes happening around us, the changes within us (both as individuals and as an organisation), and how we can best adapt to these changes to most effectively serve the people we work for. Some of the changes we discussed include external challenges, such as the growing hostility towards work that seeks to address inequalities faced by members of marginalised communities. Internally, under Belinda’s guidance as she embarked on her journey to become a yoga instructor, we recognised the increasing need to prioritise Black wellness.

We also acknowledged that each of us had undergone significant changes in our personal lives, which meant we were no longer the same three women we were when we started this journey in 2021. These shifts required us to re-align both individually and collectively, ensuring that our work and vision remained grounded in our shared values while reflecting who we are today.

Collaborating with Experts

Developing BRK Ujima’s Brand Identity with Ng’endo Kariuki Consultants

Relying on one of our other core values—staying in our lane and passing the mic—we collaborated with a professional who could expertly guide us through this process: Yvonne Kariuki of Ng’endo Kariuki Consultants, a luxury brand strategist, coach, and trainer based in Nairobi, Kenya. Yvonne’s superpower lies in her remarkable ability to capture the heart of an organisation and articulate it with clarity and precision. Her skill in drawing out the essence of who we are is truly impressive. What stood out most, however, wasn’t just the quality of her work, but the thoughtful and unique way she approaches her work. The rapport she builds, her engaging approach, and her ability to make people feel understood speak volumes about who she is. Thanks to her guidance, we were able to clearly articulate who we are, what we do, and who we do it for.

Crafting a Meaningful Visual Identity for BRK Ujima with Ben Korda

Building on this foundation, we partnered with graphic designer Ben Korda to develop BRK Ujima’s visual identity, including the logo, fonts, and colours. We are incredibly grateful to Ben for his patience; although we knew what we didn’t want, expressing exactly what we envisioned proved challenging—especially since none of us are designers. Ben’s process was highly organised, focused, and responsive. His turnaround time was impressive, ensuring that our feedback was reflected in each iteration of the design. The final logo holds deep meaning for us. Rather than having our initials as the focal point, we opted for “brk” in lowercase letters, as a tribute to bell hooks, whose work has profoundly shaped our thinking and mission. The three dots over the letters u, j, and i in ujima symbolise the three of us working together. Our core colours—red, black, and green—pay tribute to Pan-Africanism and reflect our radical love for Black people around the world.