NMBLC ignites the Chisholm Table project with microgrants to five Black volunteer-led organizations in New Mexico.
One of the main guiding principles of the New Mexico Black Leadership Council is assets-based community development. This approach is about elevating and utilizing our strengths and assets rather than focusing on supposed lack and deficiency. NMBLC’s Chisholm Table initiative exemplifies this philosophy. The Chisholm Table is a component of our collective impact organizing strategy and communications infrastructure network. It’s designed to build operational capacity among Black, volunteer-led organizations. One way to support these organizations is through funding.
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
—Shirley Chisholm
NMBLC is launching the UpLift program, funded by a grant from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). Under the UpLift program, NMBLC and partners have created a one-stop resource hub to provide help, resources, and information for the community. As part of the UpLift grant to support long-term resiliency, NMBLC received monies to award microgrants to New Mexican groups serving Black communities. Utilizing these funds to fulfill a phase of the Chisholm Table project, NMBLC awarded microgrants of $20,000 each to five Black volunteer-led organizations in New Mexico:
- Nu Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
- New Mexico Black Lawyers Association
- UNM African American Student Services
- Beyond the Chair Initiative
- Albuquerque Black Economic Security and Solidarity (BLESS)
With these grants, the organizations can focus on and bolster their efforts in line with their mission. This can be anything from recruitment and retention, public relations, technology upgrades, and outreach.
Check out the article in the Albuquerque Journal about the Chisholm Table featuring Interim Coordinator Sean Cardinalli!
Browse the photo gallery of our cohorts receiving their microgrant checks!
Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog