Friends, Families, and Community Partners,
I wanted to start this newsletter on a more personal note—reflecting on who we are reaching and why, as we continue our mission to develop and grow Black leadership, partnerships, and collaborations here in Marion and Polk County. At the heart of our work is the understanding that we are building community together, not separate from one another.
Celebrating Our History As we celebrated Black History Month, we truly celebrated American history. Seeing our community unite across cultures—at Willamette University, Chemeketa Community College, and the 12th Annual celebration at McKay High School—was inspiring. These partnerships remind us that our unity must exist together, not apart.
Resilience Through Partnership Despite the challenges many nonprofits face, we see incredible opportunities for collective support. This month, we were proud to attend fundraisers for fellow organizations and contribute to scholarships for our partners. That commitment to mutual aid is central to our mission as a foundation.
Upcoming Highlights
- The Blueprint Fundraiser: We are thrilled to announce our first annual signature event this April! Join us as we raise funds to support our work in education, community, and business development. Purchase your tickets below!
- Business Development: This month marks the launch of our workshop series, where we invest directly in business education and growth. These workshops are open to all businesses and will continue through the spring and summer.
- Investing in Students: Our partnership with the Salem-Keizer School District continues to grow. Together, we are building capacity for after-school programming, mentoring, and tutoring to create greater opportunities for underserved students. Our current project is supporting the attendance of this years A.A.Y.L.C. event for our Salem Keizer Students!
Thank you for walking alongside us. The work we are doing in our community is only possible because of you.
Greggery Peterson
Executive Director
