Why This Work Matters: Our Moment of Destiny

Today, our communities face a targeted campaign to roll back rights and opportunities. Project 2025 and similar policies threaten voting access, economic power, civic services, and the truth of our history. This is a direct attack on our freedom and future.

Yet, the strength of our ancestors flows through us. The Community Stability & Advancement Initiative is a bold, detailed plan to defend, rebuild, and advance our neighborhoods through political participation, economic empowerment, legal defense, and cultural renewal.

The time to stand is now. Join us in protecting what we have earned and building what we deserve.

Our Foundations: Guided by Wisdom, Spirit, and Strategy

Our initiative is built on profound knowledge and tested strategies:

• The Holy Bible — Acts 2:44–45, highlighting the power of shared resources and unity, available at https://biblehub.com/acts/2-44.htm
  
  

• Blueprint for Black Power by Amos N. Wilson (1998) — economic self-determination and institution building; details at Blueprint for Black Power and analysis at https://rbgcommuniversity.blog/honorable-dr-amos-wilson-blueprint-for-black-power/

• The Art of War by Sun Tzu — strategic wisdom online at:  Internet Archive:  The Art of War: Complete Text and Commentaries

• The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene (2006) — modern strategy for overcoming adversity at Internet Archive:  The 33 Strategies of War

• The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene (1998) — tactics on influence and protection at Internet Archive:  The 48 Laws of Power

• The ACLU Trump Memos — current civil rights challenges and legal tactics at The Trump Memos

• Voter Rights Educational Resources at https://www.vote.org
  and voter protection tips at https://protectthevote.net
  
  

• Economic Empowerment Knowledge Hub:  

• Khan Academy:  Free Financial Literacy Courses

• Alison:  An Introduction to Personal Finance and Credit

• Alison:  Introduction to Personal Finance Management and Wealth Building

• Alison:  Practical Lessons on Personal Finance Course

• Alison:  Artificial Intelligence in Personal Finance and Investments

• Federal Reserve Education

  1. A FREE platform with economics and personal finance resources for classrooms and communities.

  2. Equipping K-12, college, and community educators with ready-to-use tools for building lifelong financial security.

• Investor.gov:  Free Financial Planning Tools

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  1. Tools and resources to use.

  2. We’ve gathered our tools, worksheets, handouts, and audio recordings by topic and by audience. You can use these resources with the people you serve.

Our Strategies: Four Pillars to Build and Defend Power

Political & Civic Engagement: Power at the Polls

Our votes are the foundation of freedom.

• Lead voter registration drives using resources from https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote
  
  

• Deploy detailed, state-by-state outreach playbooks available through https://www.civilrights.org
  and https://www.naacp.org
  
  

• Host workshops with tools from https://www.nonprofitvote.org
  explaining voting rights, ballots, and assistance options.
  
  

• Build a Black Political Action Committee; Our goal is to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities. https://www.blackvotersmatterfund.org
  
  

• Form voter protection teams with support from

• https://protectthevote.net/

This fight secures our voice for generations to come.

Economic Stability & Growth: Control Our Wealth, Secure Our Future

Economic liberation is vital.

• Launch the National Black Investment Fund using best-practice models from Harlem Capital

• Build cooperative purchasing and land trusts with guidance from:

  1. FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN COOPERATIVES LAND ASSISTANCE FUND

  2. The Black Cooperative Economy

  3. How to start a community land trust

Notable Black-Owned Cooperative Banks

• OneUnited Bank
  The largest Black-owned bank in the U.S., founded in 1968. Focuses on supporting underserved communities through financial education and access to capital.
  https://www.oneunited.com
  
  

• Carver Federal Savings Bank
  Established in 1948, New York-based, fossil fuel-free, and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving urban Black communities.
  https://carverbank.com
  
  

• Citizens Trust Bank
  Founded in 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia, providing banking services and economic empowerment for Black communities.
  https://ctbconnect.com/history/

• Mechanics & Farmers Bank
  One of the oldest Black-owned banks since 1907, based in North Carolina, committed to community development and fossil fuel-free banking.
  https://www.mfbonline.com/our-history/
  
  

• The Harbor Bank of Maryland
  Largest Black-owned commercial bank in Maryland, CDFI-certified, emphasizing community growth and lending.
  https://www.harborcdc.org/
  
  

• First Independence Bank
  Detroit-based Black-owned bank offering inclusive banking services focused on underserved urban areas.
  https://www.firstindependence.com
  
  

• Industrial Bank
  Founded in 1934 in Washington D.C., among the largest Black-owned banks offering wide-ranging financial services.
  https://www.industrial-bank.com
  
  

• City First Bank
  Largest Black-led Minority Depository Institution headquartered in Washington D.C., focused on community development financing.
  https://www.cityfirstbank.com
  
  

• Commonwealth National Bank
  Alabama-based bank supporting economic inclusion through community-focused banking services.
  https://www.ecommonwealthbank.com/

• Unity National Bank of Houston
  Based in Texas, providing community banking services that support Black-owned businesses and families.
  https://unitybank.com
  
  

• Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company
  Oldest Black-owned bank in the U.S. based in Nashville, Tennessee, since 1904, serving personal and commercial clients.
  https://citizensbanktrust.com
  
  

• GN Bank
  Chicago-based Black-owned bank and CDFI with a mission to uplift underserved urban communities.
  https://www.gnbank.net/

• First Security Bank and Trust Company
  Oklahoma City-based institution serving Black communities with full-service banking solutions.
  https://www.fsbokc.com/

• Columbia Savings and Loan Association
  Wisconsin community bank focused on minority services and financial inclusion.
  https://columbiasavingsandloans.com/

• OPTUS Bank
  South Carolina CDFI-certified Black-owned bank dedicated to economic empowerment and financial services.
  https://optus.bank/
  
  
  

• Lead "Buy Black" efforts promoted by https://www.supportblackowned.com/states/nj
  
  

• Partner with Black-owned credit unions
  
  

• Access business technical assistance and capital training from https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans
  
  

Each dollar spent is a vote for independence and strength.

Legal & Civic Defense: Shielding Our Rights, Challenging Oppression

Courts are another front in this battle.

• Use the 24/7 legal hotline model from https://www.lawhelp.org
  and civil rights funding resources.
  
  

• Train and connect with Black civil rights attorneys.
  
  

• Engage in strategic litigation.
  
  

• Track judicial appointments and mobilize advocacy via https://www.scotusblog.com
  and https://www.justice.org
  
  

Legal resistance protects our rights and communities daily.

Education, Culture & Narrative: Reclaiming Our Story, Powering Our Future

Our narrative shapes power and pride.

• Build media coalitions via https://www.nabj.org
  (National Association of Black Journalists) and platforms like https://www.blackstarfest.org
  
  

• Reform curricula with resources from https://www.zinnedproject.org
  and heritage programs at https://nmaahc.si.edu
  (National Museum of African American History and Culture)
  
  

• Fund arts and cultural projects through https://www.arts.gov
  and community festivals.
  
  

• Run national narrative campaigns.
  
  

Culture is a vibrant weapon to unite and empower.

Timeline: From Immediate Action to Sustained Power

Year 1 (2025)

• Mobilize voter registration and protection using https://www.vote.org
  and https://protectthevote.net
  .
  
  

• Establish Legal Defense Fund and hotline modeled on https://www.lawhelp.org
  .
  
  

• Launch National Black Investment Fund and recruit leaders .
  .
  
  

• Elect community-backed leaders with support from https://www.blackvotersmatterfund.org
  .
  
  

Years 2–5 (2026–2030)

• Expand legal defense coverage nationwide via https://www.naacpldf.org
  .
  
  

• Grow economic cooperatives and land trusts.
  .

• Institutionalize Black schools and media outlets leveraging https://www.nabj.org
  resources.
  
  

• Elect 50+ leaders representing community interests through political networks like https://www.blackvotersmatterfund.org
  .
  
  

• Build generational wealth and political infrastructure.
  
  

Transforming communities for a century of power and pride.

Resources & Partners: United We Are Stronger

• NAACP Legal Defense Fund — https://naacpldf.org
  
  

• ACLU Voting Rights Project — https://aclu.org/issues/voting-rights
  
  

• Black Voters Matter — https://blackvotersmatterfund.org
  
  

• Minority Business Development Agency — https://mbda.gov
  
  

• National Cooperative Business Association — https://ncba.coop
  
  

• National Association of Black Journalists — https://nabj.org
  
  

• National Museum of African American History — https://nmaahc.si.edu
  
  

These partners strengthen our impact.

Get Involved: Your Role, Your Power

• Volunteer: Sign up at https://www.volunteermatch.org
  or https://www.nonprofitvote.org
  to register voters, host workshops, and organize civic campaigns.
  
  

• Donate: Support initiatives through secure sites like https://www.givedirect.org
  or directly on partner sites above.
  
  

• Partner: Connect with local churches, schools, and organizations for program hosting.
  
  

• Support: Visit websites such as https://africandiasporanetwork.org/mission-and-vision/ and share content widely.
  
  

Each contribution moves us closer to justice and opportunity.

Final Call: Rise, Resist, Rebuild

Our ancestors dreamed of freedom. Now we must claim it fully. This moment demands courage, community, and action.

Stand with us. Speak loud. Act boldly. Defend your rights, build your power, and create a lasting legacy of justice and prosperity.

The time to rise is now.