ABQ Times

Inspired by the third tenet of Kwanzaa, “Ujima” by definition means “collective work and responsibility.” This guiding principle underpins 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 create a culturally inclusive workplace for all team members.

"We will introduce Swahili/Navajo/Keres languages as a component of education through cultural practices within business development," the OBCE stated. "These inclusive practices will influence the larger Albuquerque business community." Emphasizing hiring community members within the immigrant and refugee communities, the initiative aims to foster an environment where traditions of collective work and responsibility uplift 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."

The Ujima Collective offers training for established companies and start-ups interested in gaining skills needed to support a growing team through employment opportunities. The application deadline is September 13th, 2024 at 5:00 pm, with training beginning on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024. Classes will be held every Tuesday and Wednesday night from 4:30 to 7:00 pm from October 9th through December 11th, 2024. Thereafter, participants will commit to bi-weekly 45-minute meetings with an assigned mentor and one monthly Ujima Collective meeting starting January 2025 through June 2025.

Selected applicants will be notified no later than Wednesday, September 18th. The committee will select eighteen participants equally from the Indigenous and Black communities. Full in-person program participation is required.

Eligibility requirements include being registered as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity in New Mexico, including sole proprietorships, partnerships (LP or LLP), LLCs, corporations, and non-profits. If registered as a foreign entity, the primary place of business must be in Albuquerque. Businesses must have been located in Albuquerque for one year or have owners who have been residents for at least one year at any time prior to training.

Upon successful completion of Ujima Graduates will receive:

- Graduation ceremony

- $5k grant towards their small business

- Mentorship for one year

- CABQ Business Registration (one year)

- One full-year membership to NM Black Chamber includes customized website

- Certificate of Completion

- Sixty-second recorded promotional video

- Professional headshot (two)

- One-on-one business development consultations

- Monthly group training sessions starting January 2025 (six months)

- Language instruction in Swahili/Keres/Navajo

- Certificate of language course completion

- Membership to OBCE Businesses Advisory Network

- CABQ Department Networking Fair