Imagine Black Futures

Narrative and storytelling Imagine Black Futures advances our mission through engaging narrative and storytelling, culminating in the successful launch of the Black possibilities mobile app. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to combat anti-black racism and foster community-building. Meticulously crafted, the app provides a safer virtual environment for solidarity, empowering Black oregonians to transition from despair to meaningful action. Unlike conventional social networking platforms, the Black possibilities app prioritizes the amplification of Black voices, addressing a critical gap in the digital landscape.through virtual events, notifications for in-person gatherings, and a wealth of resources including news updates, educational materials, employment opportunities, and casual conversation spaces, the app serves as a vital hub for empowerment and connectivity. To date, the Black possibilities app boasts an impressive user base of over 500 individuals, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to uplift and empower our community.

Civic engagement Imagine Black Futures proudly advances its mission through civic engagement. Our goal is to build a base of informed, activated Black oregonians committed to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, organizing around anti-displacement and transportation equity, furthering education on climate and environmental justice, and fostering leadership emergence based on civic priorities identified within our people's plan (2017) framework.we have successfully increased the number of educated and activated Black community members involved in civic participation. Our efforts have included engaging members of the Black community, developing and strengthening relationships and networks with ally organizations, governmental decision-makers, and elected officials, and supporting volunteers. This includes recruiting, educating, and supporting a broader base of constituents to serve on local and regional committees, task forces, and working groups.our priority topic areas for civic engagement encompass housing/anti-displacement, public safety, transportation, and climate and environmental justice. Through these initiatives, Imagine Black Futures remains dedicated to amplifying Black voices, advancing social justice, and building a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

Visioning and leadership developmentimagine Black Futures achieved a significant milestone by launching the afroecology temperature check survey, engaging over 600 Black oregonians to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of race, climate, and the environment. This pivotal initiative, rooted in afroecology principles, underscored our commitment to advancing climate justice and environmental equity within our community. Building upon this foundation, our grant from the Oregon health authority enabled us to host a series of afroecology gatherings aimed at connecting Black oregonians to nature. From earth day farming events to community walks at oxbow regional park, these gatherings provided opportunities for individuals to engage with their environment and share their environmental concerns. Additionally, our afroecology storytelling event fostered conversations around envisioning a future where Oregon genuinely loves Black people, highlighting the transformative potential of afroecology principles in shaping the state's future.in tandem with these efforts, Imagine Black Futures proudly advances its mission through the Black seeds school, an integral component of our Black leadership academy. Responding to Oregon's critical need for a robust network of training opportunities for the next generation of Black leaders, our Black leadership academy provides comprehensive programming designed to cultivate the skills and capacity of emerging leaders. Most notably, the recent cohort, cohort 6, successfully completed a rigorous five-day training program tailored to empower movement-building organizers, activists, and strategists, with 12 participants graduating.through the Black seeds school, participants gain invaluable insights, tools, and resources to effectively navigate and lead within their communities. This transformative initiative exemplifies Imagine Black Futures' unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering Black leaders, fostering resilience, and driving positive change across Oregon. As we continue to invest in the development of emerging leaders, we remain dedicated to amplifying Black voices, advancing social justice, and building a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

All other program activities.