Projects

Marketplace and Garden, News and Announcements, Projects /

Official name for outdoor venue unveiled: Karibu!

KARIBU means Welcome, and that is the official name of the Black Power Blueprint outdoor venue that’s home to the beautiful stage and Gary Brooks Black Power Community Garden!

Thank you to all the community members and artists who came out for our name unveiling ceremony earlier this month! It was a beautiful showcase of African brilliance and culture.

Speakers and performers included Black Power Blueprint resident muralist Jamie the Artist, one of our contractors Patrick Jefferson of Maintenance Boyz, poet FoFeet and singer Daneisha Young accompanied by drummer Baba Kelly, poetry by Ardimus, and by 5th Degree, vocals by Erika Clark, 18th ward alderman Jesse Todd, UAPO President Zaki Baruti, and the One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market manager Rage!

Want to host a concert or movie in the KARIBU outdoor venue? Contact info@blackpowerblueprint.org!

Farmers Market, Media Coverage, Projects /

One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market promotes healthy food access and education in north St. Louis

Market season in St. Louis unfolds slowly, with options in all corners of the city and county that each add something unique to the mix. The One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market in north St. Louis is a community favorite, where friends and families gather on Saturdays throughout the summer to connect, learn and participate in an array of activities. …

Read the full story in Feast Magazine »

News and Announcements, Projects /

African Doula Training

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.
 
News and Announcements, Projects /

African Doula Project Students sponsored by APEDF and The Black Power Blueprint

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

AFRICANDOULAPROJECT@BLACKPOWERBLUEPRINT.ORG OR CALL 314-334-2070


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

 
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!