The last Urban Democracy Feast for 2019 featured a Social Transformation Workshop theme on November 9th at the Edison Neighborhood Association, located in Kalamazoo, MI. This workshop included social justice organizations from across the city to:
- compare several ways of thinking about social transformation
- identify the public policies that prevent equal access to all the resources and services
- describe the kinds of social justice projects urgently needed in Kalamazoo
- build coalitions with others working in the same “trench”
- make suggestions to the March 2020 presenters about how to strengthen their five-minute presentations with the help of previously awarded groups who will be present
- provide an inventory of the education/media platforms where we can debate social justice issues and share strategies to build alliances for addressing these issues
Malik Kenyatta Yakini is co-founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). DBCFSN operates a seven-acre urban farm and is spearheading the opening of a co-op grocery store in Detroit’s North End.
Yakini views the “good food revolution” as part of the larger movement for freedom, justice, and equality. He has an intense interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Blacks communities in the Americas, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Accountability reports from groups that were awarded funds at the Spring FEAST shared out what the funds were used for an impact if any to their work in the community.
The next FEAST will be Eastside Neighborhood Association located at 1301 Eastmain, Kalamazoo, MI in March 2020. Check back for updates!