Black Love Day is observed worldwide every February 13, the day before Valentine's Day, and focuses on self-love and celebrating the African-American community. The holiday was created by Ayo Handy-Kendi, also known as "Mama Ayo," who was inspired to establish it after watching Spike Lee's film Malcolm X in 1992. Black Love Day emphasizes five tenets: love for the Creator, self-love, love for family, love within the Black community, and love for Black people. Participants engage in a reconciliation ritual called a relationship ceremony, where they can apologize for wrongs or forgive others, a practice Handy-Kendi incorporated after losing her son to violence. The akoma symbol, meaning "heart" in Akan, represents patience and emotional self-control and is associated with the holiday, where participants greet each other with the phrase “Nya Akoma.” While primarily focused on the Black community, the celebration also invites participation from non-Black individuals to reflect on their racial attitudes and support Black-owned businesses.