The principle of Imani, meaning “faith,” is celebrated on January 1, 2026, as the final day of Kwanzaa. This principle encourages individuals to have an unwavering belief in family, community, culture, and the collective strength of people of African descent. It emphasizes that faith is essential for building strong families, which serve as the foundation of thriving communities.
In East New York, Ashley Marrero has brought this principle to life through her business, Kente Cones. Initially launched as a pop-up, Kente Cones has transformed into a beloved local ice cream shop, opening its doors in June 2025. The shop offers a unique selection of ice creams made from ingredients sourced from Africa, including vegan options and Ethiopian coffee.
Marrero’s innovative flavors include Madagascar vanilla bean, Black is King—a black cocoa ice cream, Granny’s Favorite—a butter pecan flavor, and Melanin Madness, which features a vegan Ghanaian chocolate crunch. Additionally, the shop serves refreshing sorbets such as mango-pineapple and a sugar-free red berry option. According to Marrero, Kente Cones is the first ice cream shop in the neighborhood, filling a significant gap in the local market.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Marrero, a native of East New York, expressed her joy in welcoming families, teenagers, and seniors into the shop. She stated, “For me, it’s bigger than ice cream. Not only are you having delicious ice cream, you’re going to leave with some knowledge, and you’re going to have more self-pride in your culture, our heritage, our ancestors, what they’ve contributed to ice cream.”
Kente Cones exemplifies what can be achieved when faith—Imani—is maintained in the community. Marrero’s commitment to her roots and her desire to uplift those around her resonate deeply with the Kwanzaa celebration, which focuses on unity and collective advancement.
As Kwanzaa approaches, from December 26, 2025, through January 1, 2026, BK Reader will highlight local residents and organizations that embody the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The story of Kente Cones stands as a testament to the power of belief and community, reminding everyone that achieving greatness starts with Imani.
