“To re-engineer a New Black Economy.” That is the sole mission of Us Lifting Us. In that stead, ULU will hold its fourth annual summit, the Ujamaa Power Summit, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, located at 946 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. in Atlanta. The summit will provide national and international platforms for business leaders, scholars and technological innovators to present ideas and accomplishments to local and global communities.
This year’s speakers will discuss specific business plans for outlining and developing the essential dimensions of a New Black Economy, including gaining a foothold in strategic business sectors and industries such as agriculture, cosmetics, technology, and alternative energy. ULU strives to build a new paradigm for bringing group-owned enterprises into prominence as opposed to the individually owned enterprise.
This year’s speakers will discuss specific business plans for outlining and developing the essential dimensions of a New Black Economy, including gaining a foothold in strategic business sectors and industries such as agriculture, cosmetics, technology, and alternative energy. ULU strives to build a new paradigm for bringing group-owned enterprises into prominence as opposed to the individually owned enterprise.
The summit will provide national and international platforms for business leaders, scholars and technological innovators to present ideas and accomplishments to local and global communities. This year’s speakers will discuss specific business plans for outlining and developing the essential dimensions of a New Black Economy, including gaining a foothold in strategic business sectors and industries such as agriculture, cosmetics, technology, and alternative energy. ULU strives to build a new paradigm for bringing group-owned enterprises into prominence as opposed to the individually owned enterprise.
ULU, founded in 2013, is a global business organization designed to change the way we do business with and among ourselves and with others. The primary objective is to put in place successful business models that give Black people the capacity to gain significant control of the economics of our communities and nations, and to help free us from the current state of economic domination and exploitation by multiple forces in the world.
ULU represents the leading edge of a new and exciting movement to integrate large-scale cooperatively owned business enterprises into the economic landscape of Black communities. This strategic innovation is vitally necessary and has proven to be effective in other communities globally.
This year, the focus of the summit is “family-centered economics.” (“Ujamaa” means family-centered economics in Swahili and is one of the seven principles of Kwanza.) ULU maintains a cultural approach to economic empowerment because its members feel that culture drives behavior and behavior informs economic decisions. ULU believes it is imperative for Blacks in the U.S., continental Africa and other Black African diasporas to have a cultural grounding if real economic power is to be attained. This year’s free summit will bring group-owned enterprises into prominence. ULU has determined that the overall framework of cooperative economics/businesses will allow Black people more participation in political and economic processes in an increasingly global and hyper-competitive environment.
In addition to representatives of the ULU Cooperative presenting its plan and membership opportunities to the public, four other guest speakers will be in attendance this year. Three are ULU members and will be discussing their projects. Some of these projects are designed to assist ULU in achieving its objective of building a New Black Economy. The ULU objectives center around developing Black communities locally and globally by creating cooperatives that can own significant businesses with large revenue streams in their own communities. This shared wealth will allow Black communities to compete as investors in projects, businesses and infrastructure in African nations, thereby giving members of the African diaspora more leverage in deciding policy that affects Africa and Blacks globally. ULU has concluded that Black people need to be at the negotiating table to decide the economic future and destiny of Black people or forever be relegated to the role of passive observers with no power to solve our own issues.
Presenters at this year’s 2017 Ujamaa Power Summit are:
Chinyere Kenyama is ULU’s financial director and will present the ULU 10-point appeal and plan. She also will discuss the benefits of ULU membership and the potential power of a cooperative group economic approach, which is available to Blacks of African descent in the USA and globally.
Ric Mathis, an IT professional and producer of the documentary “Black Friday,” will be promoting the importance of African-Americans starting businesses. “Black Friday,” offers practical solutions to better manage the $1.3 trillion that leave the Black community in the U.S. every year. Its tagline, “This is not just a movie, it’s a movement,” describes the urgency of the program they are promoting.
Jacob Pendergrass, an electrical engineer, will discuss technological development and the uses of alternative-energy systems. Pendergrass is currently developing a solar-power energy system that can be used to power small mechanical devices such as water pumps and provide backup energy for low-income households.
Raina Turner has traveled extensively to examine sustainability projects currently in operation in the U.S. and around the world. She will give explanations about such projects and how they can be replicated in the Atlanta area.
Mjumbe Ashe has worked in organic high-yield farming. His current project of growing the Camellia tree is done in association with the University of Georgia. The Camellia tree produces oil similar to olive oil and is used in a similar fashion in Asia. It also is used in skin care and beauty products. He will present information on sustainable community development and interrelated business development opportunities.
The Ujamaa Power Summit will give information to the community about the advances and actions that are occurring in reaching the goal of economic stability and independence for Black people of African descent. This will be accomplished by panel discussions, demonstrations by the technology committee and input from the community. There will be entertainment, a Q&A session, opportunities for vending, networking and a chance to learn about businesses and investments in Black communities in the U.S.
For more information and vending opportunities, you can contact Us Lifting Us at 404-592-2780 or visit the website www.usliftingus.com.
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Written by Aaron James
Contributions by Bonnie Baker
