Boston Ujima Project

Last Saturday, we at Boston Ujima Project, Inc. celebrated our 7th anniversary and a new chapter as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an unforgettable Independence Party at Bootleg Special! Attendees enjoyed crowd-favorite line dances, the electric slide, and high-energy sets from DJs Lady Ly and SuperSmashBroz 🎶💃🏾🕺🏽. ❤️ Special thanks to Bootleg Special for hosting, New England Photo Booth for capturing memories, Cupcake Therapy for sweet treats, our event organizers Cierra Peters and James Vamboi, and the entire Ujima staff. A huge thank you to photographer Sun and videographer Dorian from Midas BKS for beautifully documenting the night. 📸 Relive the celebration and check out all the photos and videos on our blog at www.ujimaboston.com/blog

🎉 Ujima has some big news! Boston Ujima Project, Inc. is officially an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit! Achieving 501(c)(3) status provides us with greater autonomy befitting Ujima's growth and refinement over our seven-year journey. We're excited to engage in wilder strategies as an independent entity, and expand our capacity to build a just economy that centers the needs and voices of our communities. The organization will continue to work closely with our partners, members, and Boston's residents to drive systemic change and determine our futures. 💙 Thank you for believing in us and making this possible! 💫 Read full statement at https://lnkd.in/ebNdhdxd

☀️ Last month, Dorchester Food Co-op fired up the grill for the season's final Ujima Café, bringing together a day of good food, laughter, pumpkin arts, and co-op education! Community members came out to enjoy great company, learn about co-op membership, and support a certified Ujima Good Business. It was the perfect way to wrap up the season, full of creativity, conversation, and connection! 📸 A big thank you to Steffon for capturing the beautiful moments! 😁

In this In the Public Interest article, "The Public Option for Banking," Mark Cassell discusses the significance of public banking as a solution to economic inequality. His book, Banking on the State, examines successful public banking models, like the Bank of North Dakota, and their potential to support local development while prioritizing community interests over corporate profits. Cassell emphasizes the adaptability of public banking in addressing the needs of under-resourced communities and highlights the role of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in transforming local economies. The article challenges us to consider how public banking can foster financial equity and support sustainable growth. 💭 What changes do you think public banking could bring to your community? 📖 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dVfW9_zB

Abolitionist Practices: Then + Now Join us tomorrow for an enlightening evening presented in conjunction with Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe! This panel dives deep into the histories and legacies of abolitionist practices today. Just as Jackson's powerful work confronts the overlooked aspects of American history and the long shadow of slavery, our esteemed speakers will engage with abolitionist thought to address the ongoing impact of slavery in contemporary society. We're thrilled to collaborate with the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Our lineup features exhibiting artist Tomashi Jackson, Nia K. Evans, and Cierra Michele Peters from the Boston Ujima Project—the nation's first democratically governed investment fund—alongside Dayna Cunningham, Dean of Tisch College, and Laura McDonald, Manager of Collections at Tufts University Art Galleries. 🎨✨ Don't miss this chance to engage in meaningful dialogue and reflection! 🗓️ Oct 23, 6 – 7:30 PM 📍 TUAG / Medford – Alumnae Lounge, Aidekman Arts Center 👉 Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eUiNNM2g Image: Tomashi Jackson, Guns and Butter (Nia in The Morehouse Creed), 2022. Courtesy the Artist and Tilton Gallery.

Curious about becoming a member of Ujima? Or are you a returning member seeking to reconnect? Join us this Thursday, October 24th for our Ujima Re/Orientation. This is your chance to connect with fellow members, learn about the Ujima ecosystem, and ask any questions you may have. 📆 Thursday 10/24 at 6PM EST 📍 North American Indian Center of Boston | 105 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 ✉️ Register at ujimaboston.com/events

The Boston Ujima Project is seeking a Podcast Coordinator Consultant for a six-month virtual role. The consultant will work with Ujima's Arts & Cultural Organizing staff and the Wagner Foundation to coordinate the production of Soon and Very Soon: Radical Alternatives to the Given, a podcast series exploring innovative strategies in art and culture. ➡ Coordinate speaker invitations and logistics ➡ Manage communication with speakers and podcast producers ➡ Schedule and coordinate Zoom conversations and speaker travel ➡ Attend meetings and debriefings with the production team ⏰ Hours: 5-15 hours/week 🗓️ Time Commitment: Six months Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/eQ9detf7

⭐️ Join us this week for #UjimaWednesdays: Art, Activism, and Housing: Ashé's Vision for New Orleans with Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes. Explore how Ashé Cultural Arts Center uses art and culture to foster human, community, and economic development for the African diaspora in New Orleans. In this workshop, Ashé's Executive Director, Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, will share their visionary work in transforming spaces for artists and the community, and how they continue to build on their 20-year legacy of supporting African American artists and culture bearers. 📆 Wednesday 10/23 at 6 PM ET 🌐 Join us on Zoom ✉️ Register at ujimaboston.com/events ➡️ About our speaker: Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes is an educator, author, and Executive Director of Ashé Cultural Arts Center. Her career focuses on advancing equitable development and addressing disparities through culture, housing, and economic opportunity. She brings deep roots in New Orleans' indigenous culture and has received numerous honors, including President Obama's Drum Major for Service Award.

Abolitionist Practices: Then + Now Join us for an enlightening evening presented in conjunction with Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe! This panel dives deep into the histories and legacies of abolitionist practices today. Just as Jackson's powerful work confronts the overlooked aspects of American history and the long shadow of slavery, our esteemed speakers will engage with abolitionist thought to address the ongoing impact of slavery in contemporary society. We're thrilled to collaborate with the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Our lineup features exhibiting artist Tomashi Jackson, Nia K. Evans, and Cierra Michele Peters from the Boston Ujima Project—the nation's first democratically governed investment fund—alongside Dayna Cunningham, Dean of Tisch College, and Laura McDonald, Manager of Collections at Tufts University Art Galleries. 🎨✨ Don't miss this chance to engage in meaningful dialogue and reflection! 🗓️ Oct 23, 6 – 7:30 PM 📍 TUAG / Medford – Alumnae Lounge, Aidekman Arts Center 👉 Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eUiNNM2g Image: Tomashi Jackson, Guns and Butter (Nia in The Morehouse Creed), 2022. Courtesy the Artist and Tilton Gallery.

☀️ Last month, community members came together at @comfortkitchenbos for a vibrant Ujima Cafe patio takeover! Artist Njeri Ngugi led 'By the Water We Came,' exploring the cultural identities of Palestine, Congo, Brazil, and Dorchester through the lens of water and movement. Participants shared stories, reflected on liberation, and contributed to a community archive with maps, quotes, and collages. And, of course, everyone enjoyed Comfort Kitchen's delicious new brunch menu! A perfect day of creativity, conversation, and connection! 📸 Thank you @king_steffonn for the beautiful photos! See any familiar faces? 😁