The National Black United Front will hold its national convention in Kansas City July 12-14, with the KC chapter playing host. Mickey Dean, co-founder of NBUF-KC, says the theme of the convention is “Preparations for Reparations,” with a focus on building Black self-sufficiency.
“Even if we were to receive reparations, are we really prepared to take advantage of that opportunity?” says Dean. “The main purpose is to focus on the need to set up independent Black institutions in our communities so we can take care of ourselves.”
The convention will have speakers and workshops focused on four key areas: education, health, economics, and food sovereignty. With the programming laying the groundwork for a future of true self-determination and autonomy for the Black community.
Highlights & Schedule
The convention kicks off Fri., July 12, with a free opening rally from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mohart Center, 3200 Wayne Ave, KCMO. The keynote speaker will be Malik Yakini of the Detroit Black Food Sovereignty Network, which recently opened a $22 million community hub that includes a grocery store, commercial kitchens and meeting spaces.
Dean says the opening rally broadly focuses on Black health. In addition to the keynote speaker, there will be fitness groups, urban farmers, and groups that focus on nutrition.
“We want to deal with all aspects of Black health because we’re not a very healthy community,” says Dean. “If you look at all these so-called ‘Black diseases’ — diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol — it’s all preventable.”
The next day, Sat., July 13, the convention convenes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bruce R. Watkins Center, 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The $50 registration fee for adults, $15 for those 19 or younger, includes lunch and access to four workshops:
- Food Sovereignty: Speakers from two local urban farms, Sankara Farm and Global One Urban Farming, will guide guests through growing their own food and herbal remedies.
- Economic Justice: Representatives from WeDevelopment Credit Union, a community credit union, will discuss the importance of independent financial institutions.
- Healthcare: Workers from Uzazi Village, KC’s center for Black and Brown maternal health care, will give a presentation on the importance of culturally competent health care within the Black community.
- Education: There will be a presentation from the Whole Living Academy, an African-centered virtual school where students can enroll from anywhere.
At the convention location, there will be a pop-up African Market organized by the Buy Black Empowerment Initiative. The free access market will be open to everyone in the community.
An African Heritage Ball fundraiser for NBUF-KC will be held Saturday night at the Industrial Event Space, 1670 East 63rd St, KCMO, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The event will feature African attire, live entertainment, cultural cuisine, dancing, and a mature atmosphere. Tickets are $75.
The convention concludes Sun., July 14, with a spiritual circle event from 9 to 11 a.m. at Laya Center, 1814 Oak St, KCMO.
To register for any of the NBUF convention events, visit bit.ly/NBUFConvention2024.
About NBUF-KC
The National Black United Front (NBUF) is an organization that arose after the decline of the Black Power movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was founded in 1980 in Brooklyn, New York by groups of people who believed in the spirit and philosophies of Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey and the push for Black independence and self-determination.
For more than four decades, NBUF has focused on social justice activism/organizing, humanitarian aid/relief, African-centered education, community-based programs,organizing for self-determination, collective economic power and institution building.
The KC chapter of NBUF (NBUF-KC) was started in 1981, after a couple Kansas Citians attended the founding NBUF convention and brought the concept back home. NBUF-KC has been active since then, promoting Black empowerment through economic, educational, health, and food sovereignty initiatives.
For more info or to join, reach out to nbufkc@gmail.com.
