News and Announcements, Projects /

African Doula Project Orientations Held to Register New Doula Students

Orientation sessions on March 22 and March 26, 2022 were held in Akwaaba Hall at the St. Louis Uhuru House for students to register for the African Doula Project, one of the newest projects of APEDF and the Black Power Blueprint to improve infant and maternal health in the African community.
 
APEDF Board President Ona Zene Yeshitela and Zondlile Mpiko, Doula Project  Coordinator presented informational videos on the work and challenges of a doula. Participants had a chance to ask questions and discuss the issues before registering for the Doula and Business Training sessions coming up in April and June of 2022.
 
4-Plex Apartment on College Ave, Projects /

Volunteers assemble beds, install blinds and more

The Black Power Blueprint’s African Independence Workforce Program is on the move, cleaning, decorating and putting the finishing touches on the formerly abandoned 4-Plex apartments on College and W. Florissant Ave. in North St. Louis.

Thank you to all the volunteers who recently came out to the work days in March to put together beds, install blinds and so much more!

In April, Uhuru Furniture in Philadelphia will drive to St. Louis with a truck load of furnishings for the apartments. They will bring beautiful African pillows, coffee tables, dining room sets, desks and more. We can’t wait for you to see the finished look!

Job Opportunities, News and Announcements, Projects /

African Doula Project seeks Program Coordinator

The African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) is hiring a Program Coordinator for our African Doula Project.

Coordinate a six-month doula training program in St Louis, Missouri to improve infant and maternal health in the African community. Ensure recruitment and success of 20 students, following an established work plan and timeline for grant goals and objectives.

Oversees project and partner relationships, responsible for promotions and marketing, meeting grant requirements, assists with reports and project evaluation, supervises volunteer staff.

A full job description can be found below.

This position would ideally start in early February. This is a six-month / short-term grant-funded position. It is a part-time hourly position at $20 an hour for 25 hours per week.

Applicants must be able to work from the APEDF office in north St. Louis and travel locally for networking, as this is not a remote position.

To apply, please email africandoulaproject@blackpowerblueprint.org or call 314-334-2070.


Job Description

Definition:

The APEDF Doula Project Program Coordinator, under the supervision of the African Doula Steering Committee in St. Louis, MO. Oversees project and partner relationships, responsible for meeting grant requirements, assists with reports and project evaluation, supervises volunteer staff. Reports to APEDF Board President and Doula Project steering committee.

Essential Functions:

(Essential functions, as defined, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Tasks:

Coordinate a six month doula training program in St Louis, MO to improve infant and maternal health in the African community. Ensure recruitment and success of 20 students, following established work plan and timeline from APEDF for grant goals and objectives.

  • Promote doula training project through community outreach, social media, print media, HTML email announcements, website, blog, signs and other marketing methods that result in recruiting African women to participate in African Doula Project.
  • Implement promotions and marketing plan. Promote program through monthly online and printed calendar, media, internet postings, social media, regular HTML email announcements, website, blog, signs, community outreach and other marketing methods. Assist in designing and distributing promotional literature.
  • Network with community members, organizations, hospitals, nurses, CNA workers, schools, teachers, the healthcare industry, local businesses and others to participate in identifying African women who want training to become a Doula.
  • Create and manage orientation meetings with speakers, calendar and materials to introduce interested participants to the program.
  • Respond to all inquiries regarding signing up for Doula training. Conduct pre-screenings with interested applicants and coordinate with Jamaa Village Doula training coordinator to confirm accepted participants, forward financial scholarship information and other needed information.
  • Create and manage a database of all contacts and donors that inquire about the African Doula Project, and of all accepted doula trainees to record progress to certification completion.
  • Maintain necessary records to meet grant reporting requirements including communicating with Jamaa Village Doula training coordinator to get the statistics needed for reports to the African Doula Project grant funder. Assist with completing final reports to funders.
  • Recruit and supervise 10-20 volunteers to participate in community outreach, event coordination and project evaluation. Work with doula certification candidates to participate in community outreach for education and clients.
  • Coordinate and manage business development training for doula trainees with speakers and materials from APEDF.
  • Conduct clerical duties like answering phones, handling emails, managing print materials, scheduling events, preparing regular reports, organizing files.
  • Maintain all promotional photo storage of events, training and portfolio album. Ensure all events are photographed for promotional use.
  • Attend all meetings of the steering committee of the African Doula Project and present reports on project progress weekly.

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Characteristics:

Agreement with the mission statement and policies of APEDF. Passionate about social justice, economic development and improving the health and well-being of the African community.

Skill in oral communication and effective interpersonal relationships in one-on-one and group situations. Knowledge of the principles and concepts of customer service. Skill in written communications. Skill in supervising and developing volunteers. Knowledge of telephone operations and call handling procedures. Knowledge of social media, blogs, google docs, flickr photo storage and other online promotional tools.

Physical Requirements:

Work may involve light to moderate lifting.

Qualifications:

Requires an Associates Degree or Higher or the equivalent work experience, a valid driver’s license.

Experience with developing and implementing project work plans and multiple timelines, and with managing budgets.

Proficient in Google docs, Google spreadsheets and other software programs to manage project, and excellent writing skills, with strong verbal communication skills and strong leadership skills, self-starting and the ability to multitask and delegate responsibilities.

At least two years related experience in marketing, social networking and sales. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Proficiency in graphic design software and HTML email programs such as Mailerlite is a plus.

4007-09 West Florissant, Projects /

Thank You from APEDF President Ona Zené Yeshitela!

Uhuru everyone! Because of YOU on #GivingTuesday this past week, the Black Power Blueprint exceeded our goal to raise the funds needed to begin construction on the Community Basketball Court in North St. Louis!

Thank you for everything you did to make this happen! Thank you to all of our donors, our volunteers, supporters and everyone who made phone calls, put up posters, flyers, promoted the campaign on social media and contributed in so many other ways. Together we have officially raised over $140,000 for this dynamic program of African self-determination.

Like I said from the beginning, this is about rebuilding our community. All of you are a part of making this happen. This is another victory for the African community. Another victory in our movement for political and economic power in our own hands.

We did it. You did it. We are winning! Uhuru!

Marketplace and Garden, Projects /

Community enjoys 2021 Uhuru Halloween Festival

The Uhuru Halloween Festival and One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 was epic!

MC Zondlile Mpiko welcomed the crowd and guided participants through the day’s program. Children and adults arrived in amazing costumes. They participated in games and activities like Uhuru Says, Exercise for Candy, a Halloween Hair Style Contest, Mummy Wrap and Dancing. Judges from the community awarded prizes in costume contests for both the children and adults.

Festival goers were treated to culture by DJ Oliver, mime artist Quincy GQ Fielding III and a fantastic drummer.

Uhuru Movement leader Chairman Omali Yeshitela also gave a powerful speech.

This final farmers market of the season featured wonderful vendors selling fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, prepared food, clothing, accessories, literature and more.

We can’t wait for next year — the One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market kicks off a season of weekly market dates in May of 2022!

Check out the Highlights Album:

2021 Halloween Festival Farmers Market (Highlights)
News and Announcements /

Enter the Garment Factory Naming Contest!

Support Economic Development and Commerce for and Between African People Worldwide

  • Chance to win R1400 ($100)
  • Enter by midnight June 19, 2021
  • No fee to enter
  • No limit on number of entries per person

This new garment factory is the first major economic institution organized by Black Star Industries in South Africa. We will design, manufacture and sell our own clothing and fabric worldwide. The factory is slated to open in Vaal, Gauteng by 2023.

How to Enter

Submit your proposed name and/or slogan
with a brief explanation of the meaning of your name or slogan.

Include your contact info
First Name, Last Name, Email and Phone Number

Submit Entries

Mail to:
BSI Naming Contest
8331 Drieziek ext 5
Orange Farms 1841

Whatsapp Text to: (+27) 646-851-229

Email to: NameIt@BlackStarIndustries.org

Win R700 ($50) if your name is chosen for the factory
Win R700 ($50) if your tagline / slogan is chosen

For more info, visit the Naming Contest website!