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THE BLACK BLOCK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Promoting and supporting business, property, and land ownership by acquiring, allocating, and identifying financial and other resources for individuals, groups, companies, sole-proprietors, and associations in disproportionately impacted communities.
Retelling the Story, History in the Making of the Black Block Cultural District
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ABOUT THE BLACK BLOCK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
We follow a mutually agreed upon conversational communications style, where meetings are open and embracing, leadership understands and operates under racial, ethnic, and cultural values and principles that respect equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
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Through community partnerships leading to strong collaboration among regular community people and stakeholders, the Black Block Resource Committee in the Downtown area of the City of Pawtucket was formed. Led by Christian Urban Missionary, Principal Property Owner, and more recently unanimously board-voted, Executive Director Leslie Moore, the outmost goal was to organize efforts that would support equity in health, property, and economy in response to inappropriately being served by unsolicited gentrification attempts by nonmembers of our community, whose lived experiences of slavery and oppressive backgrounds had not been shared with most of the people represented in our district.
Among many pivotal actions taken in these collaborative conversations, the establishment of The Black Block Community Foundation as an anchor of The Black Block Cultural District stemmed from mutually agreed-upon goals. The Board of Directors of The Black Block Community Foundation (BBCF), has taken a stance of being guided by racial, ethnic, cultural, and faith-based values to ensure that its vision and legacy continue. BBCF's State of Rhode Island's incorporation date is 3/16/2023, and through the generous donation from the Grassroots Fund Seed Grant BBCF was able to secure capital to acquire basic software, email accounts management, communication tools, liability insurance, and the fee to submit our IRS application for tax exemption status. Shortly after in the month of June of 2023, BBCF officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as a public charity with tax exemption status.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Overview of the Chronology of The Black Block Community Foundation
2022 + Jan 2023
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Community Members and Stakeholders met regularly to have dialogs around solutions to many barriers to resources faced by small black-owned businesses in Downtown Pawtucket. Conversations and planning led to the formation of the Black Block Resource Committee.
March 2023
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Stronger alliances among community members and leaders sparked organized efforts to serve and represent our community. The Black Block Community Foundation was established and incorporated in the State of RI.
May + June 2023
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Subsequently, after, The Black Block Community Foundation’s Association was created as a subcommittee according to the bylaws of the foundation. Concerted efforts and collaboration among Founding Board Directors led to accelerated achievements that included two grants and expedited obtaining of IRS 501(c)3 public charity tax-exempt status.
Summer 2023
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Taking a Grassroots Decision-Making approach, the association operates to voice the leading message of every small business, organization, resident, and worker in The Black Block Cultural District. Together, the foundation, the association, and community members continue to move forward in achieving social justice change in The Black Block Cultural District in the Downtown area of the City of Pawtucket, RI.
Fall 2023
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Members of the Founding Board met with Mayor Don Grebien, City of Pawtucket officials, and staff to advocate and secure ARPA Funds for the Black Block Cultural District. This productive dialogue led to further meetings with different sources and key personnel within the City's administration to assist BBCF in creating proposals to present for approval. With the support of Charles "Chachi" Carvalho, the city's first chief equity officer, BBCF is preparing to submit this request on behalf of our district to expand its capacity to advance economic development and maximize community impact.
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The Black Block Community Foundation real work skills readiness program for youth was launched in partnership with the Comprehensive Community Action Plan (CCAP) and Health Equity Zone (HEZ) of Pawtucket/Central Falls.
Stay Tuned
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Unveiling projects in 2024 coming to a Black Block Cultural District near you.
WAYS WE HELP
Furthering our cause is the most important goal of our organization. We seek to support, empower, and provide high-quality resources to the Black Block Cultural District community. Among many other priorities, we provide cultural representation, community development, technical assistance and services for small businesses, workforce development, advocacy matters, and education.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EQUITY
Making Change Possible through Arts and Culture
CAPACITY BUILDING
INCLUSION
Empowering Others with Skills
EDUCATION
ACCESSIBILITY
Transforming Lives with Knowledge
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Christian Urban Missionary who has been blessed with the heart, the faith, and the vision that is necessary to lead our mission in the Black Block Cultural District in Downtown Pawtucket.
MEET OUR
FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Taking Diversity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Equity Driven Priorities from Actions to Results
SARAH REJOUIS
President/Madam Board Chair
Founding Board Director
JAMHAL TALIB ABDULLAH BEY
Vice President/Vice Chair
Founding Board Director
JULIO E SABATER PHD
Board Treasurer (Interim)
Founding Board Director
IVELISSE SABATER
Board Co-Secretary (Interim)
Founding Board Director
GERLIKKA WILLIAMS
Board Co-Secretary (Interim)
Board Member
FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
YEJIDE MUHAMMAD, M.Ed.
Former Founding Board Director
ANNETTE RICHARDSON
Former Founding Board Director
MELODIE THOMPSON
Past Board Director
The Black Block Community Foundation
Association
Members & Partner Organizations
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DONATE
To be part of our journey and make your contribution please click the button below to send your donation. We appreciate your support and thank you in advance for taking a role in retelling the story of the Black Block Cultural District by joining many others who like you are essential for this "history in the making" establishing moment.