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Be #InvestedInUjima | #UjimaWednesdays | #EventEdition | Opportunities to Study | Alternative Currency | Ujima Time Bank | How to Invest in Ujima | Appreciations | Neighborhood Econ. Study Group | Ujima is Hiring | Membership Renewal | Jobs | Upcoming Meetings 

PILOT ACTION GROUP VIRTUAL TOWN HALL

Boston, much like the rest of the country, has found itself at the crossroads of a generation defining racial justice movement and health crisis. As residents work together to demand change, how are Boston's largest nonprofit institutions being held accountable? When will our wealthiest universities and hospitals face the mountain of bills owed to Boston and Bostonians? It is two years, too late. Join PILOT Action Group for a virtual town hall on Thursday, August 6 at 7 p.m. to demand PILOT reform to ensure a just recovery for us all.

Click here to register for the event.

Full participation in PILOT is a target of the Black Mass Coalition, a group of organizations, including Ujima, who are coming together to tackle a wide number of issues. Black Mass Coalition is calling on public and private institutions to commit to full compliance with PILOT programs, divestment from the prison industrial complex, fossil fuels and other toxic assets. Learn more at becma.org/blackmass. 

WEDNESDAY 6:15 PM: #CoDirect w/ Ujima Staff

Our next Ujima Open Meeting is TONIGHT on Zoom – Wednesday, July 1st, from 6:00pm-8:30pm.

Time: Wednesday, August 5, 6:00PM | Location: Zoom Only

  • 6:00-7:15pm #CoDirect: Updates with Ujima Staff 
  • 7:15-8:30pm #CoCreation: Arts & Cultural Organizing and Podcast Member Teams

PLEASE RSVP. Thank you!

Share on Facebook.

#CoLearning Recap:

Last week, we held a special two hour workshop with Kate and Daniel from USFWC which focused on meeting facilitation basics.

View the full notes here, video and presentation.

#EventEdition

August is filled with histories of Black resistance: from the Haitian Revolution to the Nat Turner Rebellion, from the Fugitive Slave Law Convention to the March on Washington to the Watts Uprising. Black August is a time to celebrate organizing history and Black resistance in the United States, and beyond. 

"This month is a time to reflect and learn about the legacies of Black revolutionaries, while we rededicate ourselves to the protracted struggles against white supremacy, colonialism, capitalism, and imperialism. We study, plan, and pledge to continue the work and fight for Black liberation." — Monifa Bandele. 

Below we've highlighted talks, workshops and screenings to help get your month started.

Featured Events

AUG 6 - PILOT Action Group Town Hall: ARE We All In This Together?

AUG - Ujima Wednesdays

AUG 12 - Ujima Neighborhood Economic Study Group (ZOOM)

UNESG

AUG 6 - Powerful Talks Panel 3: Artists Surviving COVID

AUG 8 - Storytelling While Black & Female

AUG 9 - Legacy Of Love, Watch Party & Discussion (Virtual)

More August Events

8/4/2020 Dedham Library Gardening: Canning, Freezing and Dehydrating
8/4/2020 Confronting Colonial Myths in Boston’s Public Space: Part III
8/6/2020 Organic Gardening and Revolutionary Politics Session 4!
8/7/2020 Virtual First Fridays: Caribbean Couture
8/9/2020 SURJB Monthly Brunch
ONGOING  
8/5/2020 - 8/26/2020 UjimaWednesdays Political and Financial Ed ZOOM Workshops 2020
8/5/2020 - 8/26/2020 SURJB Action Hour!

Opportunities to Listen

Join the Ujima Time Bank!

Speaking of alternative currency... The Ujima Time Bank is another way to save money and create community connections while creating a new economy in Boston!

What is a time bank?

A Timebank is a system of exchange where the unit of value is person-hours. When a member of a timebank performs one hour of service for another member, they are awarded one hour of credit in the Timebank, which can then be redeemed for one hour of service from another member. For example: Samantha can fix Jess’s blinds, and then Jess can teach Freddie Spanish, then Freddie later gives Samantha a ride, and the Timebank keeps track so it’s fair.

*Featured Offer: "Sourdough/Kombucha Lessons" Expires in 5 months 

“I have sourdough starter and SCOBY for making kombucha that I can give you. I can help teach you how to make sourdough bread, sourdough pancakes, crackers etc or kombucha (over video during COVID of course).”

*Featured Request: "Fix Irrigation Leak at an Urban Farm in Dorchester" Expires in 4 months 

My friend is a farmer at Oasis on Ballou in Dorchester. I have been working there with him on the weekends sometimes. The irrigation backflow system leaks like crazy (it is above ground) to the point where we can only run the hose to water plants for about 2 minutes before we have to turn it off to pump water out of the two five gallon buckets that fill up in that time. If we could fix it the leak, then we could also use the drip irrigation system instead of watering by hand with a hose - which of course wastes water and time! Thanks so much... if you need more info, contact me, I have a video. This is the most inefficient way to water the farm and he has put in a work order request with the landlord over a year ago and it still has not been fixed. Thank you Timebankers! Let me know if you think you can fix the leaky irrigation system, and we will cover the cost of parts.

Join the time bank to respond and see more! Anyone who lives in Boston can join the Time Bank at www.ujimaboston.com/timebank!

How to Become a Co-Investor in the Ujima Fund

  1. Read Ujima's Offering Memorandum. This document describes the risks, regulations, and background of the fund. The Offering Memorandum should be read in it's entirety, with careful attention to the Risk Factors (page 11), Description of Notes (39), and Subordination Agreement (77).
  2. Consult the personal finance worksheet if you are unsure of how much to invest.
  3. Invest online (multiple payment options available):
    1. Choose the option next to the type of investment you are making.
    2. Complete and sign all forms via Docusign (Investment Agreement, W-9, and Demographic Information).
    3. After submitting, select your payment option. (You will see instructions on how to send a check if that is your preferred payment.)
  4. OR: Invest via mail:
    1. Choose the option next to the type of investment you are making.
    2. Select the print option on Docusign.
    3. Complete and sign all forms manually (Investment Agreement, W-9, and Demographic Information).
    4. Write a check, payable to the Fund, for the amount you wish to invest in the applicable Notes.
    5. Send the Investment Agreement and your check to the Fund [PO BOX 180310 Boston MA 02118].
  5. Email invest@ujimaboston.com or call 617-446-3863 with any questions

Please contact invest@ujimaboston.com with any questions or issues that arise!

#UjimAppreciations

Thank you to...

  • Dr. Caroline Shenaz Hossein, Bithiah Carter, and Turahn Dorsey, for their wonderful reflections on historical and contemporary Black social economies at our Black on Black Investing workshop!
  • Ra Imhotep and D. Makeda Johnson, for an insightful conversation during Lectures Aint Dead!
  • Anastasia Warren and Marie St. Fleur, for a beautiful and provocative Black Trust lecture!
  • Our To Possess Freedom Once Again CoHosts: Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA)The Collier Connection, Boston Impact Initiative, CommonWealth Kitchen, Foundation for Business Equity, Matahari Women Workers' Center, King Boston, U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Amplify Latinx, Boston Teachers' Union, LISC Boston, North American Indian Center of Boston, Print Ain't Dead, and New England Blacks in Philanthropy, for helping to spread the word about an exciting week of study halls, workshops, assemblies, and lectures!
  • Ujima Team Members James, Cierra, Johnny, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) ED Segun Idowu, and The Collier Connection CEO Sheena Collier, for forming a phenomenal dream planning team and executiving many wonderful events for To Possess Freedom Once Again!
  • Ujima Team Member James, for leading the planning of Ujima's 3-day Advance!
  • All of our new members who have joined Ujima!
    • Duane
    • Alex
    • Dana
    • Jeremy
    • Leonard
    • Sarah
    • Joy
  • All of the members who have renewed their Ujima memberships!
    • Jordan
    • Nia
    • Claudia
    • Julie
    • Miriam
    • Jennifer
  • All of our recent investors!
    • Jessica
  • To Peers, Partners, and Community Members who are doing their part to keep us informed, safe, and loved during this time.

Ujima Neighborhood Economics Study Group

We are excited that the Ujima Neighborhood Economics Study Group is underway, continuing to explore the feasibility of projects that address our community-wide needs. The group will meet every second Wednesday, and the next meeting is next Wednesday August 12th. This study group is co-coordinated by Ujima members and staff. Some participants will focus on a specific area of study and some writ-large. The group will build on the learnings from the exploration that Ujima members have already done, and will carry this research forward to get even closer to implementation and investment in projects that meet our needs.

The topics include:

  • Community Land Trust
  • Community Owned Internet
  • Community Owned Energy
  • Urban Farming
  • Creative Economic Placemaking (Black Market)
  • Community Space
  • Arts/Cultural Organizing Space
  • Childcare

There is also space for members to coordinate study groups on additional topics of interest. Please email lynchcasey2@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved or want more information!

Internship Opportunities

We need your help to find great interns to grow our team. Ujima is offering these internship opportunities on an ongoing basis. Please share widely!

To apply, email intern@ujimaboston.com to express interest and get further information. 

Ujima Membership Renewal

Renew your Ujima Membership today. We need dedicated members to build a just future, and we’re asking you to join us again for year two. Our goal is to reach 95% member renewals; while growing our overall membership to 700. Help spread the word about our network and activities!

Jobs in the Ujima Network

Upcoming Ujima Meetings

We hold Open Meetings every Wednesday at 6pm, on Zoom! Check out our August Calendar below!

 

www.ujimaboston.com

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