What's In A Name Poem by Kitamu LathamSampier

What's in a name?
Does it tell our persona?
Does a name describe who you are?

What you are?
Where you come from?
Does a name give …?

Confidence? Strength? Purpose?

Does the significance of a name tell a person's heritage?

Their nature?
Their spirit?

Can you find the truth about someone, simply by knowing the meaning of their name?

I am Akilli, I am the Warrior.
I am Jasira, I am Courageous.
I am Rijali, I am The Teacher.
I am Taj, I am Exalted.
I am Barack, I am The Blessed One.
I am Imani, I am Faith.
I am Aisha, I am Life
I am Damali Najuma, I am a beautiful vision of glory.

These names echo the pride of our culture.
They inspire courage within us to mold our future for the better.
They contain the essence of our homeland and connect us to the ghosts of our ancestors.

They drive us to be different, to be special,
Because it is who we are.

We are Creole.
We are Haitian.
We are African, Jamaican, British, French and American.
We are BLACK.
Black in many shades. Shades that stand out from many.

We stand tall!
We stand strong!
We stand together!

I know what is in my name.
I am Kitamu Maendelaeo, I am Sweet Progress.
Do you know what's in your name?

-Kitamu Latham-Sampier