Kwanzaa is all about community building, self reflection and giving intentionally. Holidays are exceptionally rough for people every year, but especially during COVID 19 times.
In attempt to use our network to provide mutual aid to those of us in need ThinkingNext organized a money donation campaign in February of 2022. We were able to raise just under 500 dollars during this project. Wanting to not duplicate the work of community organizations who were addressing food scarcity in Oakland, we decided to partner with an already existing organization.
Folks are busy, so finding an organization to collaborate with didn't quite pan out. But! The spirit is Kwanzaa is always. Between now and April, we will purchase food with the donated Kwanzaa funds and place these items in the Town Fridge off 76th and off Fruitvale.
The "Town Fridge” project has set up four public refrigerators around Oakland. Anyone can open up a fridge anytime and pull out free food and drinks. The Town Fridge project's object is to shatter the myth of food scarcity by providing free and easily accessible sustenance for anyone who needs it.
As part of our Kwanzaa Food Bag Donations we will purchase cultural food staples in the African-American community: - Black Eyed Peas - Cabbage - Collards - Mustards - Turkey Necks - Rice - Cornmeal - Flour - Eggs -Milk etc.
We will also purchase canned versions of these items, where possible, to account for those with lack of housing or other amenity issues that prevent the intricate task of preparing some of these items.
Many thanks to all who have donated!!
All proceeds will go to buy food and supplies to donate to Bay Area families.
"Unlock the Bars Juvenile Hall Book Drive 2017 - 2019"
While we may not be able to immediately unlock a child's physical bars, we can provide them with the keys to unlock their mental ones. In solidarity with Bresha Meadows ThinkingNext is collecting books to donate to local juvenile halls. Give a child a book today by clicking here.
If you are interested in supporting the #FreeBresha Campaign in other ways check out the #FreeBresha hashtag on any social media outlet or visit her webpage.
"Juneteenth Freedom Bailout 2019" American Negro folklore tells us that slave masters intentionally and maliciously did not tell many slaves that the war had ended and they were to be freed. The phrase "Juneteenth" was created to commemorate the days (June 13th - June 19th) many slaves were told that America decided to finally acknowledge their birthright: freedom. The history books state that on June 19th, 1865 in Galveston, Texas slaves were informed that Robert E. Lee had surrendered and they were now "free".
No matter the narrative, the overarching story is the same and Juneteenth has become a yearly celebration for the descendants of African slaves in the U.S. But, just as in 1865, freedom- real freedom- is yet to be fully attained.
Though no longer on the plantations of the antebellum South, 2.3 million African Americans are incarcerated today – many of which have yet to be found guilty, but remain detained simply because they are too poor to make bail.
"Plants for Parks" In an effort to continue engaging local residents within their communities and make our parks safer ThinkingNext is launching a planting initiative that repopulates Bay Area parks with trees and flowers. Our efforts will focus on parks that exist outside of the recently gentrified areas to help renovate our neighborhoods and communal bonds.
"Junior College ---> Grad School"
ThinkingNext held a Q&A Panel discussion for prospective for prospective transfer students who were considering graduate school too. The goal was for students to see alumni who look like them and have not only transferred to four year institutions, but gone through the graduate process as well. We answered questions, divulged the routes we took and provided helpful tips and tricks. For specific information concerning the event click here!
Click below to watch a snippet of our panel discussion at LMC!