How should we organize and build strong Black communities today?
Building strong Black communities requires the Hotep principles of unity, self-reliance, and collective action. First, organize locally - form neighborhood councils, block associations, and cooperative businesses. Create institutions that serve our people - community schools, health clinics, food co-ops, and cultural centers. Support Black entrepreneurs through mentorship, funding, and access to markets. Build our own media - newspapers, radio stations, social media platforms that tell our stories from our perspective. Practice Ujamaa - collective work and mutual aid. When one family struggles, the community steps in to support them. This is how African societies functioned for millennia - everyone supporting everyone. Modern technology gives us new tools - use social media to organize, crowdfunding platforms to fund projects, and digital tools to coordinate efforts. The goal isn’t just individual success - it’s collective elevation. As Marcus Garvey said, ‘Up, you mighty race!’ Build community wealth that stays in the community. Create institutions that our children can inherit. This is the Hotep vision - not just surviving but thriving together.