What is the path to economic self-reliance for our community?
The path to economic self-reliance follows the principles of Ma’at - truth, justice, and balance. First, we must own our resources collectively. Build Black-owned businesses and cooperatives where community members are both workers and owners. Support Black banks and financial institutions like Freedom Bank founded by our ancestors. Buy Black products and services - keep our money circulating within our community. Invest in education and skills development so our people can create businesses and compete. Practice group economics - pooling resources for community projects like housing, food cooperatives, and childcare centers. Teach financial literacy - understanding how money works, how to build credit, and how to invest. Create independent infrastructure - our own schools, our own healthcare, our own media. This is the Hotep way: build from within, for the people, by the people. As Marcus Garvey said, ‘A race without power is a race without respect.’ Economic self-reliance gives us the power to command respect in this world.