BlackStar Keep Shining Brighter
Donation protected
Asante sana for all the initial and continued outpour of love and support shown and given to our work and goals for BlackStar's success! While we didn't meet our initial financial goal to acquire the BlackStar building, by working through some creative financing and cooperative means with the former owner, we have been successful at acheiving the goal of acquiring the property. That said, our fund raising efforts continue with a renewed energy and a new focus. (See more about our initial fundraising goal below)
We're, now, shifting our agenda to make the physical building known as BlackStar Books and Caffe the literal and physical shining light for Our commuity that it is destined to be. We have had meetings and conversations with contractors and a local architect who are practically volunteering to help oversee this project. This is a blacktastic opportunity and one we look forward to seeing come to fruition. At its optimum, BlackStar will be a community resource center, small business incubator, educational and family support space that includes a community library and media room, outdoor/open air court yard/food court, gift shop, conference and relief space.
We are asking all family and friends of BlackStar to help us with this new effort and intention. Asante sana in advance as we are certain we will continue to be victorious in our mission. Please feel free to read further for better insight about how and why we've gotten to where we are currently. We'll see you in our wonderfully beautiful future!
The intention prior to 8/30/17:
Through BlackStar, we are committed to continued service to our community and would love your support raising the funds needed so BlackStar Keeps Shining and operating where we are. The building that houses our wonderfully brilliant institution has recently been listed for sale and we wish to buy it! So, BlackStar wishes upon you... to help us remain where we are to continue offering the many benefits and advantages to the community we love so dearly.
In 2010, along with my colleague and friend, Samori Camara, both born and raised in Algiers, a neighborhood located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, we were blessed with the privilege of birthing BlackStar, a gift of life the community could rally around to nurture it as it cares for us. BlackStar Books and Caffe quickly became a lively space that serves lunch, coffee, and drinks, and also celebrates “Afrakan” culture through book discussions, movie screenings, and live music.
BlackStar has served as a consistent gathering hub and nourishing home for all walks of members of our community. It provides a safe space for community children to play and congregate. It serves as a space for strategy meetings, social gatherings, classes and workshops, performances, screenings, book clubs, and study groups as well as being a wonderful place to have a good lunch or early light supper. In our efforts to define our community as Little Afraka and usher in more businesses and institutions to support and sustain the people and culture, BlackStar has also been hosting small street festivals and celebrations that emphasize the values and joys of our community.
During a joyous BlackStar family/community meeting held April 9, 2017, we decided to join together to contribute 85K toward securing the building that houses BlackStar. Our initial goal... to amass 500 people to pledge $150 toward securing the property. We have it the ground running and our local fundraising efforts will continue. Additioinally through this platform we are asking you to please join the committed BlackStar Family and Community by adding to our collective efforts so "BlackStar Keeps Shining" bringing sweet light and life to all we are privileged to embrace and encounter. With your help, our goal of 85K is a buttermilk drop in the cake dish. As we surpass our goal we'll make greater structural and product improvements to make the BlackStar experience that much "mo betta"! All contributions are appreciated and none are insignificant, so get involved and make plans to come black home to enjoy the house that you helped maintain. As you give we ask that you please SHARE the link and tell others why you are supporting this movement.
Asante Sana for your consideration, love, and support, Family! Get ready for another BlackStar cookout and street festival to celebrate our victorious achievement!
Baakir Tyehimba,
Your Brother and Comrade
UHURU!!
We're, now, shifting our agenda to make the physical building known as BlackStar Books and Caffe the literal and physical shining light for Our commuity that it is destined to be. We have had meetings and conversations with contractors and a local architect who are practically volunteering to help oversee this project. This is a blacktastic opportunity and one we look forward to seeing come to fruition. At its optimum, BlackStar will be a community resource center, small business incubator, educational and family support space that includes a community library and media room, outdoor/open air court yard/food court, gift shop, conference and relief space.
We are asking all family and friends of BlackStar to help us with this new effort and intention. Asante sana in advance as we are certain we will continue to be victorious in our mission. Please feel free to read further for better insight about how and why we've gotten to where we are currently. We'll see you in our wonderfully beautiful future!
The intention prior to 8/30/17:
Through BlackStar, we are committed to continued service to our community and would love your support raising the funds needed so BlackStar Keeps Shining and operating where we are. The building that houses our wonderfully brilliant institution has recently been listed for sale and we wish to buy it! So, BlackStar wishes upon you... to help us remain where we are to continue offering the many benefits and advantages to the community we love so dearly.
In 2010, along with my colleague and friend, Samori Camara, both born and raised in Algiers, a neighborhood located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, we were blessed with the privilege of birthing BlackStar, a gift of life the community could rally around to nurture it as it cares for us. BlackStar Books and Caffe quickly became a lively space that serves lunch, coffee, and drinks, and also celebrates “Afrakan” culture through book discussions, movie screenings, and live music.
BlackStar has served as a consistent gathering hub and nourishing home for all walks of members of our community. It provides a safe space for community children to play and congregate. It serves as a space for strategy meetings, social gatherings, classes and workshops, performances, screenings, book clubs, and study groups as well as being a wonderful place to have a good lunch or early light supper. In our efforts to define our community as Little Afraka and usher in more businesses and institutions to support and sustain the people and culture, BlackStar has also been hosting small street festivals and celebrations that emphasize the values and joys of our community.
During a joyous BlackStar family/community meeting held April 9, 2017, we decided to join together to contribute 85K toward securing the building that houses BlackStar. Our initial goal... to amass 500 people to pledge $150 toward securing the property. We have it the ground running and our local fundraising efforts will continue. Additioinally through this platform we are asking you to please join the committed BlackStar Family and Community by adding to our collective efforts so "BlackStar Keeps Shining" bringing sweet light and life to all we are privileged to embrace and encounter. With your help, our goal of 85K is a buttermilk drop in the cake dish. As we surpass our goal we'll make greater structural and product improvements to make the BlackStar experience that much "mo betta"! All contributions are appreciated and none are insignificant, so get involved and make plans to come black home to enjoy the house that you helped maintain. As you give we ask that you please SHARE the link and tell others why you are supporting this movement.
Asante Sana for your consideration, love, and support, Family! Get ready for another BlackStar cookout and street festival to celebrate our victorious achievement!
Baakir Tyehimba,
Your Brother and Comrade
UHURU!!
Organizer
Baakir Tyehimba
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
