John, Black women and femmes have never fallen short of being at the forefront of history and change-making. So today, we're taking the time to uplift none other than Elaine Brown!
Elaine is a living legend; former Chairwoman of the Black Panther Party, and currently runs Oakland and the World Enterprises, a nonprofit that is launching and sustaining cooperatively-owned businesses owned by formerly incarcerated and socioeconomically marginalized people. Back in 1974, Elaine broke new ground when she became the first and only woman ever to lead the Black Panther Party.
In the 1970s, under Elaine's leadership, the Black Panther Party significantly expanded its community programs, including its free breakfast programs for children and health clinics, laying the groundwork for community activism.
Her latest project, the development of an affordable housing project in Oakland, California, is a game changer! This housing development is the first of its kind at 100% affordable housing and will be known as the Black Panther Building. Beyond cementing the history of the Black Panther Party into the history of Oakland, the name of the building is meant to spur consciousness and give people something to fight for and protect.
Outside of affordable housing, this project also aims to address the health of our communities. In the same complex, the Black Panther will house a grocery market offering fresh produce, a community garden for residents, a fitness center, and a tech center.
For too long, capitalism and white supremacy have upheld and emphasized a system of punishment and erasure. That includes punishing and criminalizing poor people, unhoused people, people suffering from hunger, people struggling with mental health, drug and substance abuse, and so much more.
The Black Panther Building challenges this by stepping in and demonstrating how our leaders can create the conditions for Black people to thrive instead of merely surviving.
Split a donation between Black Lives Matter and Oakland and the World Enterprises now so we can continue manifesting a future where Black communities possess the means to shape their destinies, free from the shackles of economic, social, and political disenfranchisement.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter
