In May of 2019, BlackRoots Alliance formally incorporated with a unique mission: a commitment to the safety and liberation of all Black people, promoting Black leadership and Black-centered community transformation as we work collectively to build socioeconomic power, heal our communities, and fundamentally transform our society.

Over the years we have helped support and amplify the work of our founding partners, EAT, SOUL, and GGE, and expanded our network to support the leadership development and capacity of Black Live Matter Chicago, Umedics, and most recently ChiCityFoods, Earthseed Black Family Archive Project and the Black Cornerstones Project. These organizations share our vision for reimagining what is possible for Black folks as we tackle pressing issues facing our communities. Their work is the bridge between the way the world is and the way the world should be, and we are thrilled to champion and promote their Black leadership.

Our Seeding the Future (STF) program has supported 23 grassroots leaders from partnering organizations in their projects within their communities. We offered leadership development, networking opportunities, and over $100,000 in financial support so leaders could organize within their neighborhoods. The STF program brings people together to explore new opportunities for their neighborhoods and sow seeds that result in increased community, civic engagement, and an expansive ability to dialogue about social issues and politics. We are about to launch our next cohort, so be on the lookout for more information soon.

We are realizing Black-centered community transformation and collective work towards transforming society by facilitating door-to-door community conversations and expanding public discourse. For years we have been talking to community members about issues like racial equity in cannabis legalization, public health and safety, and reparations for chattel slavery.  

Our conversations have focused on uncovering and healing internalized anti-Blackness while finding the similar threads between our individual stories and weaving those threads into a civic engagement that provides concrete, on-the-ground assessments of what is needed for Black people to thrive. We are excited to continue the conversation with you. 

Join us from 1-3 pm CST on Saturday, June 3 to participate in our next community conversation on reparations hosted at the Chatham-Avalon Church at 8601 S State Street. We’ll continue to unpack these two main questions: what would reparations look like for you and how reparations could impact your family? You can register NOW for this free event here! For any questions or more information please contact our Director of Organizing, Lorne Runnels, at [email protected].