- Advocacy and Civic Engagement<\/li>
- Health: Physical, Financial, Behavioral<\/li>
- Leadership and Workforce Development<\/li>
- Cultural Vibrancy<\/li>
- Positive Youth Development<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"NMBLC](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AreasOfImpact-Version2png-01-1024x1024.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNMBLC\u2019s Guiding Principles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Carter G. Woodson’s Philosophies<\/li>
- Community-Based Activism<\/li>
- Participatory Democracy<\/li>
- Arts\/Events-Based Community Development<\/li>
- Assets-Based Community Development<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"NMBLC](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/guiding-principles-pyramid.png?resize=448%2C448&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCommunity-based activism and participatory democracy are attributed to Ella Jo Baker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Ella-Jo-Baker-766x1024.jpg?resize=766%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\u201cGive light and people will find the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Ella Jo Baker<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carter G. Woodson’s philosophies are built on inclusion, multiculturalism, racial harmony, and the knowledge that Black history is American history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/carter-g-woodson.jpg?resize=426%2C550&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n“What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Carter G. Woodson<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nAdvocating<\/strong> for the Black community in New Mexico and fostering civic engagement<\/strong> with forums and redistricting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Congressional and Mayoral Forums<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative (NMBVC)<\/a> held two informational political forums in 2021. The goal was to inform the community on the plans and positions of candidates running for office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The New Mexico CD-1 Congressional Candidate Forum<\/a>, held on April 20, 2021, featured candidates running to fill the US Representative vacancy left by Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Participating candidates included former State Representative Melanie Stansbury, former Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, and U.S. National Guard Veteran Chris Manning. The 90-minute discussion focused on questions submitted by local organizations and community members, and was hosted virtually and broadcast live to Facebook<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City of Albuquerque Mayoral Candidate Forum<\/a>, held on September 27, 2021, featured candidates running for mayor of the City of Albuquerque. Participating candidates included incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel \u201cManny\u201d Gonzales III, and radio talk show host Eddy Aragon. NMBVC hosted this forum in-person at Highland High School. It was also broadcast live to Facebook<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Juneteenth Meet and Greet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NMBVC hosted a public meet and greet with elected officials at the City of Albuquerque\u2019s 2021 Juneteenth celebration. NM CD-1 Representative Melanie Stansbury, State Senator Harold Pope Jr., and Chief Public Defender Bennett J. Baur hung out to talk to festival goers face-to-face about how they serve the public as elected officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NMBVC](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Juneteenth-Group.jpg?ssl=1\")
NMBVC Juneteenth Meet and Greet 2021<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Redistricting Task Force<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NMBVC<\/a> organized the Black Community Redistricting Task Force to focus on identifying Black\/African-American communities in New Mexico. With support from the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee and community members, the task force created a map proposal that preserved Black\/African-American interests and voting power within several House Districts across the state. The proposal was presented to the Citizen Redistricting Committee in October and then integrated into the one created by the Center for Civic Policy to become CRC Map Recommendation E-1. This recommendation was presented during the 2021 Special Session Legislature as House Bill 8 to be signed by the governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society. We must use it.”<\/p>\u2014John Lewis<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Treating health<\/strong> holistically by addressing behavioral<\/strong>, physical<\/strong>, and financial<\/strong> needs in the Black community in New Mexico. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Racial Reckoning Mental Health Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NMBLC spotlighted behavioral health with the 2021 virtual town hall \u201cRacial Reckoning: True Equity in Mental Health.\u201d Dr. Jamal Martin, Director of Peace and Justice Studies at UNM, presented a \u201cState of the State\u201d epidemiology report on a public health model-approach to improve behavioral health in BIPOC communities. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy and Research, gave an electrifying report on the crisis of Black youth suicide in America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NMBLC](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/RacialReckoning-03-1024x717.png?resize=1024%2C717&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBlack\/African American Health Association (BAAHA)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical patriarch Dr. William McIver addressed a group of doctors about the need to continue convening and building coalitions to improve physical health for Black\/African-Americans in New Mexico. Dr. Duane Ross<\/a>, retired Medical Director of True Health New Mexico, and local ER physician Dr. Stephanie Garcia approached NMBLC voicing similar concerns. NMBLC helped them launch the Black\/African American Health Association (BAAHA). The association\u2019s mission is to improve wellness opportunities for every Black citizen of New Mexico through access to coverage, quality healthcare, and education. BAAHA held its first meet and greet in October 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”<\/p>\u2014World Health Organization<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Financial Committee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NMBLC board members created the Financial Committee to promote financial wellness in New Mexico\u2019s Black communities. The committee is in the process of collaborating with other local Black organizations to provide and promote youth entrepreneurship opportunities, home ownership information, and life skills training. The goal for 2022 is to strengthen engagement in the Financial Committee\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cultivating the next generation of leadership<\/strong> and recruiting for on the job workforce development <\/strong>and training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NMBLC is partnering with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to implement an on-the-job training program for underserved members in our community. This initiative is a component of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA\u2019s aim is to improve preparation, access, and success in adult basic education, career pathways, postsecondary education, and workforce development. WIOA targets low-income and low-skilled adults, disconnected youth, public assistance recipients, and those with limited financial means. Using<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WIOA Title I funds for subsidized work experience, the state will pay half the salary of staff that NMBLC hires under this apprenticeship program. This arrangement allows NMBLC to recruit for crucial positions in the organization while mentoring and training those in the community who would otherwise not have access to gainful employment opportunities or the education to become sought after members of the workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"AACETS](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AACETS-final-logo-1024x280.jpg?resize=1024%2C280&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe African American Community Economic Transformation Study (AACETS) led to the following recommendations:
Create a Hub Organization
Generate a Leadership Development Institute
Establish a Communications Network Infrastructure<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\nChisholm Table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assets-Based Community Development is about elevating and utilizing our strengths and assets rather than focusing on supposed lack and deficiency. This philosophy is exemplified by the Chisholm Table<\/a>, a component of our collective impact organizing strategy and communications infrastructure network designed to build operational capacity among Black, volunteer-led organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out the article in the Albuquerque Journal<\/a> about the Chisholm Table!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Chisholm](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/chisholmtable_v2-01-1024x421.jpg?resize=1024%2C421&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUpLift<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
UpLift<\/a> is another initiative that launched in 2021. It\u2019s funded by a grant from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). Under this program, NMBLC and partners have created a one-stop resource hub to provide help, resources, and information for the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the NMDOH grant to support long-term resiliency, NMBLC plans to award five microgrants to New Mexican groups serving Black communities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Nu Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity<\/li>
- New Mexico Black Lawyers Association<\/li>
- UNM African American Student Services<\/li>
- Beyond the Chair Initiative<\/li>
- Albuquerque Black Economic Security and Solidarity (BLESS) <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Succession-planning and sustainability<\/strong> is a critical component of any organization. In 2021, NMBLC took positive steps to develop our leadership pool and ensure our longevity and viability with the advancement of two of our team members:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/KindraHeadshot.png?ssl=1\")
<\/td>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MasonHeadshot.png?ssl=1\")
<\/td><\/tr>![\"New](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Mexico-Black-History-Festival-Decades-Banner-1024x576.png?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Asante](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Asante-Registration-2-04-1024x1024.png?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"RSLA](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/RSLA-Roots-logo-1024x832.jpg?resize=1024%2C832&ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
<\/td>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nishati-Logo.png?ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"RSLA](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Roots-Village-34.jpg?ssl=1\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/One-New-Mexico-Gospel-Concert-Banner-1024x577.png?resize=1024%2C577&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n