On December 10, 2022 we held our first “Heart and Soul” Volunteer Appreciation Party for all the Uhuru N2U Volunteers involved in the Black Power Blueprint projects.
The Black Power Blueprint projects have addressed the disparities in health, education, and economic development that exist in our communities and the change we have created is possible because of the help from our amazing volunteers.
The volunteer appreciation party included an award ceremony, delicious food, and time and space for attendees to mingle. The event was a great success and we look forward to doing it again next year.
Award Winners
Awarded to volunteers who always strive to make things the very best they can be for the African working class and our struggle for self-determination. The winners are: Mitchell Pearson, One Africa! One Nation! Farmers MarketZoya Samsonov (Uhuru Solidarity Movement) – A/V Coordinator for #GivingTuesday TelethonAwarded to volunteers who are always there when you need them, and also when you don’t, to do whatever is necessary to complete the task or assignment at hand. The winner is:Brendan McCoy (Uhuru Solidarity Movement), Program Coordinator for the #GivingTuesday TelethonGiven to volunteers who have contributed a lot of their time. Nothing in the world takes the place of persistence and determination. The winner is:Marisa Martinez, One Africa! One Nation! Farmers MarketAwarded to a young person (age 10-18) who enthusiastically steps forward, taking responsibility to be a positive role model for their peers. Leadership is not a position or a title, it is action and example. The winner is:Torryn Gray, Black Power Blueprint Garden and Black Power Vanguard Basketball CourtGiven to a group of volunteers whose outstanding performance and accomplishments together warrant recognition. The sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have but how many leaders you create. The winners are:The Ervin Scholars Volunteer Group from Washington University in St. LouisBoys Hope Girls Hope of St. LouisThe Black Power Blueprint Social Media Team: KC, Lisa, Chris, Yakimah, Leslie, Zoe, Ash, Nick, Joey, Amy, MarquesRecognizing individuals whose positive attitude impacts those around them. Their positive spirit is contagious, motivating and enhances the confidence of everyone they work with. The winners are:Jordan Fly, One Africa! One Nation! Farmers MarketJordan Simmons, Black Power Blueprint Projects
Awarded to a volunteer who makes others better as a result of their presence and who makes sure that impact lasts in their absence. The winner is:
Tobias Pristupin, Black Power Blueprint ProjectsWhether it is a novel improvement or an innovative way to accomplish a task, Bold Initiative Award winners help move the organization forward. Suggestions that improve the quality of the organization’s operations and services are eligible for consideration for this award, as well as accomplishing a task or advancing the struggle. The winner is:Rhya Fogerty, Uhuru N2U CoordinatorGiven to individuals whose performance demonstrates extraordinary efforts above and beyond the “call of duty,” who demonstrate enthusiasm and who promote pride, teamwork and a positive image throughout the organization. The winners are:Dr. Loretta King (Project Black Ankh), Lead Medical ProviderLeah Fifield, Grants Committee
More photos from the volunteer appreciation event
Akwaaba Hall is available to rent!
The Heart & Soul Volunteer Appreciation Event was held in St. Louis Akwaaba Hall, a beautiful event space available for community rentals. The room can be used to host events of up to 150 people including birthday parties, weddings, meetings, classes, repast services, graduations, baby showers, and so much more. Call (314) 380-8016 to speak with a representative about reservations, pricing, and tours. You can also learn more about Akwaaba Hall on the APEDF website.
Fourteen African women from North St Louis were trained as doulas by the African People’s Education and Defense Fund at the end of July 2022. This was a first for this Northside neighborhood which is 97% African and where the conditions of birth are so serious that the number of babies that don’t survive the first year of life would fill 15 kindergarten classrooms.
The training was led by Bianca Nash-Miot and Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra, doula trainers from the Commonsense Childbirth Institute. Each new doula will participate in five births each in order to receive their certification.
The new doulas are also receiving business training from APEDF President Ona Zene Yeshitela and Uhuru Movement members Dr. Aisha Fields, Director of the All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project, Yejide Orunmila from African National Women’s Organization and Director Akile Anai.
Here are African People’s Education and Defense Fund’s newest African Doula Project students taking their class photos! These women along with 13 other students will be offering free doula services to 100 families who are planning to get pregnant or who are already pregnant.
These African Doula Project students attended an informational meeting at Akwaaba Hall on May 31st. The doula students signed commitment forms to do online pre-training in June and July, and will be back at Akwaaba Hall for the in person training July 29-31.
These students will be changing health for black mothers and babies throughout North St. Louis, one birth at a time.
If you want to be part of this amazing project CALL 314-334-2070 or email africandoulaproject@blackpowerblueprint.org
Volunteers Dree Nicole Smith and Starya Pope, two of our new African Doula Project students, get emotional about their new role to serve African women and babies as Doulas in North St.Louis. APEDF and The Black Power Blueprint will save our black women and children. We Will touch One and Touch all.AFRICANDOULAPROJECT@BLACKPOWERBLUEPRINT.ORG OR CALL 314-334-2070
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.
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
Representatives from Mettagroup St. Louis accepted the invitation to tour the Black Power Blueprint projects after making a generous donation from their April monthly meeting.
Thank you to Mettagroup St. Louis! Your support, and that of other donors across the country, are forwarding Black Power Blueprint’s projects for self-determination in the African community!
The Farmers Market Team has been hard at work, preparing for the market’s launch in June!
The One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market will support African self-determination, building an anti-colonial economy and connecting the community to black growers and farmers.
It means that fresh food is coming to North St. Louis!!!
In the fall of 2019, Val Bisharat and Brian Lemoine from Clif Bar & Company, visited St. Louis to tour the Black Power Blueprint projects which they learned about through their long-term support of the work of Uhuru Foods & Pies in Oakland.
