Long before white missionaries came to the African continent to “civilize” African people, our ancestors were practicing a wide array of religions, spiritual practices, and traditional forms of worship. Our ancestors worshiped their own gods, goddesses, and their ancestors. And while many of our traditional religious practices were swept away on both sides of the[…]
The Reawakening of Spirituality in Black Youth
By Imani Bryant Community Engagement, Emotional self care, Racial Equity Jan 08, 2020
CommunityBuild Ventures at the Change Philanthropy 2019 Unity Summit
Gallery By ALLISON TODD advocacy, Community Engagement, Culture Transformation, Emotional self care, Racial Equity, self care Dec 09, 2019
Thank you Change Philanthropy! Our CommunityBuild Ventures’ President & CEO, Natasha Harrison, recently attended the 2019 Change Unity Summit. In addition, CommunityBuild Ventures was a proud sponsor. While there she and the team learned strategies for utilizing power to advance philanthropic equity. Change-makers gathered in heart wrenching and progressive conversations. The collective energy was indicating[…]
THRIVE Thomasville Heights: The Celebration
By ALLISON TODD Community Engagement, Culture Transformation, Emotional self care, Racial Equity, self care Dec 03, 2019
The THRIVE Thomasville Heights initiative was created in an effort to give members of Thomasville Heights access to financial resources to address community concerns. On Thursday, November 21st the participants celebrated the completion of year one of the program. This was in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Take a look at what[…]
5 Strategic Planning Best Practices
By Sheronde Glover, Project Consultant Community Engagement, Culture Transformation, Strategy Nov 04, 2019
For many, planning, particularly strategic planning feels overwhelming and intimidating. The truth is strategic planning doesn’t have to be arduous or difficult, challenging or all-consuming. But it does need to be done right so I thought I’d share a few best practices I’ve compiled to help you feel comfortable and ready to conduct effective strategic[…]
Why HBCUs are Still Important: the Student Perspective
By Imani Bryant advocacy, Community Engagement, Culture Transformation Oct 28, 2019
In 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was founded as the first institution of higher education for African-Americans with the purpose of equipping and empowering students of diverse backgrounds to be visionary leaders in their chosen fields. Nearly 200 years later, there are over 100 HBCUs scattered across the South and Midwest, but over 50 years[…]
Troubling Truths: Black Women in the Workplace
By ALLISON TODD Emotional self care, gender, self care Oct 28, 2019
The troubling truths about black women in the workplace is a topic one can not ignore. After speaking to about 100 black women, I learned there were some alarming consistencies. I wanted to shine a light on what I learned. My hope is that we, can grow, together. The goal is to have the culture[…]
Getting the Most Out of Self-Care: Planning with Conscious Intention
By Neith Sankofa , Project Trainer and Coach Culture Transformation, Emotional self care, self care Oct 22, 2019
When you hear the term “self-care” what images come to mind? Most often I hear responses along the lines of a bubble bath, uninterrupted time to binge watch a favorite show, getting nails done, or an afternoon nap. Yes, these can all be forms of self-care however to get the most benefit from any self-care[…]
It’s a Family Affair
By Imani Bryant Community Engagement, Culture Transformation, Racial Equity Oct 14, 2019
With the leaves changing and the hot weather breaking, homecoming season is finally here. For college students, faculty, staff, and alumni across the country, this is a time of celebration and pride in one’s alma mater. However, for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), homecoming isn’t just a time to watch the football team beat[…]
CommunityBuild Ventures In the Community: THRIVE Thomasville Heights
By Ben Fullstack Community Engagement, Culture Transformation, Racial Equity Oct 10, 2019
The CommunityBuild Ventures Team is excited to be celebrated by the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Check Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s blog here. The THRIVE Thomasville Heights is an example of what community development can look like. It is an example of what happens when philanthropy allows community leaders to determine what their community[…]
Why We March
By Imani Bryant Culture Transformation, gender, Gender Justice, Racial Bias, Racial Equity, Uncategorized Oct 07, 2019
On Saturday, September 28th at 9 in the morning, hundreds gathered at the Freedom Plaza for the National Trans Visibility March. This march was the result of years of preparation and organization, and it’s importance couldn’t be more timely. A Black trans teen girl, Bailey Reeves, was fatally shot in Maryland at the beginning of[…]