Ubuntu Research & Evaluation, LLC

At UBUNTU Research and Evaluation, we honor study as a crucial tenet of #BlackAugust, a time to deepen our understanding of Black Liberation through the lens of organizing, education, and community. Study is not just about learning facts; it’s about engaging with the truths that shape our past, present, and future. Among the many ways we approach study, poetry has a place in our work as a sacred form of Black storytelling. Poetry holds a profound and indispensable role in Black Liberation, serving as a accessible technology of truth telling, and world making, while being a container for our collective memory.

We are thankful for this partnership and our people will benefit tremendously from your brilliance!

As we observe the practice of fasting during Black August, remember to honor your body’s needs and well-being. Fasting is a powerful act of discipline and reflection, but it should always be done within your bodily means. Your wellness comes first. This is not a time to shame yourself for the foods you eat or don’t eat. Instead, focus on the more profound meaning: connecting with our community, reflecting on our collective journey, and building strength for the ongoing fight for liberation. If fasting isn’t possible for you, consider other ways to fast during Black August: • Misinformation: Fast from misinformation that attempts to depoliticize or mislead you, and instead, seek out truth and knowledge that empower our struggle for liberation. • Social Media: Take a break from social platforms to focus on self-reflection and meaningful in-person connections. • Unnecessary Spending: Fast from non-essential purchases and redirect resources to community causes. • Toxic Relationships: Step back from draining relationships to focus on self-care and community. • Distractions: Fast from habits that distract you from your goals, such as excessive phone use. #BlackAugust

As we observe the practice of fasting during Black August, remember to honor your body’s needs and well-being. Fasting is a powerful act of discipline and reflection, but it should always be done within your bodily means. Your wellness comes first. This is not a time to shame yourself for the foods you eat or don’t eat. Instead, focus on the more profound meaning: connecting with our community, reflecting on our collective journey, and building strength for the ongoing fight for liberation. If fasting isn’t possible for you, consider other ways to fast during Black August: • Misinformation: Fast from misinformation that attempts to depoliticize or mislead you, and instead, seek out truth and knowledge that empower our struggle for liberation. • Social Media: Take a break from social platforms to focus on self-reflection and meaningful in-person connections. • Unnecessary Spending: Fast from non-essential purchases and redirect resources to community causes. • Toxic Relationships: Step back from draining relationships to focus on self-care and community. • Distractions: Fast from habits that distract you from your goals, such as excessive phone use. #BlackAugust

“On the evening of August 21–22, 1831, an enslaved preacher and self-styled prophet named Nat Turner launched the most deadly slave revolt in the history of the United States. Over the course of a day in Southampton County, Turner and his allies killed fifty-five white men, women, and children as the rebels made their way toward Jerusalem (now Courtland). Less than twenty-four hours after the revolt began, the rebels encountered organized resistance and were defeated in an encounter at James Parker’s farm. Following this setback, Turner and other rebels scrambled to reassemble their forces. The next day, a series of defeats led to the effective end of the revolt. White people quickly and brutally reasserted their control over Southampton County, killing roughly three dozen Black people without trials. Within a few days of the revolt, white leaders in Southampton became increasingly confident that the revolt had been suppressed and worked to limit the extralegal killing of Black people. Instead, white leaders made sure that the remaining suspected rebels were tried, which also meant that the white enslavers would receive compensation from the state for condemned enslaved people. Trials began on August 31, 1831, and the majority were completed within a month. Ultimately, thirty slaves and one free Black man were condemned to death. Of these, nineteen were executed and twelve had their sentences commuted by Governor John Floyd. Turner himself eluded capture throughout September and into October, when two enslaved men spotted him close to where the revolt began. Once detected, Turner was forced to move and was unable to elude the renewed manhunt. He was captured on October 30. While in jail awaiting trial, Turner spoke freely about the revolt. The cultural legacy of the revolt is still vibrant; the revolt remains the clearest example of overt resistance in the United States to the system of slavery.“ - Encyclopedia Virginia #BlackAugust

New UBUNTU Blog Post! “I was reminded of a shirt I saw emerge across social media some years ago that read; I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. I remember that phrase becoming a viral tweet every other month or so. And I also remember it being used when describing Black Excellence when Black students graduate from college. I used it when I graduated with my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Spanish and my Master of International Social Work. This phrase of pride was linked to achievement and advancement for some of us within the Black community. But now, as an evaluator, I have to ask…to what extent are we, am I, truly my ancestors’ wildest dreams?” Read more of “Hair Day Reflections: Am I My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams?“ by Sojourner White at https://lnkd.in/ePSeFjwQ

On August 20, 1971, the day before George Jackson was killed in San Quentin State Prison, the atmosphere was likely tense. Jackson, a well-known figure in the Black Panther Party and co-founder of the Black Guerrilla Family, was a symbol of resistance against systemic antiBlackness and the oppressive prison system. His book Soledad Brother had brought national attention to the dehumanizing realities of prison life for Black men, and his activism made him a target. At the time, Jackson (along with Fleeta Drumgo and John Cluchette) were awaiting trial for the alleged murder of a prison guard, a charge that many saw as a way to silence Jackson. His influence within and outside the prison walls had made him a powerful figure, and the authorities viewed him as a threat. The following day, on August 21, 1971, George Jackson was killed during what prison officials claimed was an escape attempt, though many believe his death was a planned assassination. His death marked a pivotal moment in the Black liberation struggle, further intensifying the need and necessity of fighting against the systemic oppression that George Jackson spent his life resisting. #BlackAugust

Study is one of the core tenets of Black August, a time dedicated to deepening our understanding of the past, present, and future of Black liberation. While book and essay study from Black political writers is essential, study also occurs sensorially, outside the pages. We learn by witnessing the world around us, listening to the stories passed down through generations, and participating in the everyday resistance and resilience of our communities, and sharing in communal educational spaces. Study is not just intellectual—it’s experiential, emotional, and embodied. This year is the 45th celebration of Black August, let’s commit to studying in all its forms, grounding ourselves in the knowledge and wisdom that nourishes our collective struggle for freedom. #BlackAugust

The 99 books taken from the cell of George Jackson after his assassination. #BlackAugust

On August 11, 1965, an encounter between Marquette Frye, a young Black motorist, and the LAPD sparked six days of uprising in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. In the wake of long-standing issues of police brutality, racial discrimination, and economic injustice, the community rose up. The rebellion left 34 people dead, over 1,000 injured, and thousands arrested. Yet, it also brought national attention to the systemic inequalities faced by Black Americans. #BlackAugust