Ujima Collective Applications Now Open
The Ujima Collective offers training for established companies and start-up’s interested in gaining the skills needed to support a growing team through employment opportunities.
September 05, 2024
Inspired by the third tenet of Kwanza, “Ujima” by definition means “collective work and responsibility,” this guiding principle for the 2024-25 Office of Black Community Engagement’s (OBCE) entrepreneurial initiative. The Ujima Collective targets Black/African American and Native/Indigenous owned companies with a mission to incorporate Anti-Racist practices, and a culturally inclusive workplace for all team members.
We will introduce Swahili/Navajo/Keres languages as a component of education through cultural practices within businesses development, these inclusive practices will influence the larger Albuquerque business community. With an emphasis on hiring community members within the immigrant and refugee community we aim to foster an environment in which the traditions of collective work and responsibility lift and elevate Indigenous and African/Black American Communities. We strongly believe that the racial wealth gap must be closed through support to new and expanding companies within the Global Community of Albuquerque.
· Are You an Indigenous/ Native or Black/African Owned Company?
· Do you have an interest in hiring ESL speakers from refugee communities?
· Are you interested in learning a new language?
The Ujima Collective offers training for established companies and start-up’s interested in gaining the skills needed to support a growing team through employment opportunities. Application deadline is September 13th 2024 5:00 pm. Training begins Tuesday October 8th 2024. Classes are held every Tuesday & Wednesday Night 4:30 to 7:00pm October 9th through December 11th 2024. Thereafter, participants will commit to Bi-Weekly 45 min meetings with an assigned mentor and 1 Monthly Ujima Collective Meeting starting January 2025 through June 2025 (6 months.)
All questions must be answered. Selected Applicants will be notified no later than Wednesday September 18th. The committee will select 18 participants equally from the Indigenous and Black Community. Full in person program participation is required.
Eligibility Requirements:
Participating Employers must be:
Registered as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity in NM.
Includes Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships (LP or LLP), LLC, Corporations and Non-profits
If registered as a “foreign” entity, the primary place of business must be in Albuquerque
Headquartered within the Albuquerque city limits. (must be incorporated Albuquerque
Physical address (not PO Box) for entity’s principal place of business as defined through SDAT
Business has been located in Albuquerque for 1 year OR Business owner has been an Albuquerque resident for at least 1 year at any time prior to the time of training
Includes Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships (LP or LLP), LLC, Corporations and Non-profits
If registered as a “foreign” entity, the primary place of business must be in Albuquerque
Headquartered within the Albuquerque city limits. (must be incorporated Albuquerque
Physical address (not PO Box) for entity’s principal place of business as defined through SDAT
Business has been located in Albuquerque for 1 year OR Business owner has been an Albuquerque resident for at least 1 year at any time prior to the time of training
Upon successful completion of Ujima Graduates will receive:
· Graduation Ceremony
· 5k Grant to go towards their small business
· Mentorship for 1 year
· CABQ Business Registration (1) Year
· 1 Full Year Membership to NM Black Chamber Includes customized website
· Certificate of Completion
· 60 Second Recorded Promotional Video
· Professional Headshot (2)
· 1:1 Business Development Consultations
· Monthly Group Training Session Starting January 2025 (6 months)
· Language Instruction Swahili/ Keres/ Navajo
· Certificate of Language Course
· Membership to OBCE Businesses Advisory Network
· CABQ Department Networking Fair