Umoja Kijana Shujaa
Founded in 2017, Umoja Kijana Shujaa is a paid leadership development cohort and program of Black & Beyond the Binary Collective. Umoja was created to further radicalize Black - African Trans, Queer, Nonbinary, Two-Spirit, Intersex, and Asexual+ (TQN2SIA+) youth 14-24 to combat white supremacy, criminalization, anti-blackness, and to advance Black liberation.
Umoja youth will participate in responsive and collaborative community building throughout the summer and will walk away with a deep understanding of white supremacy, hands-on experience in community and civic engagement, as well as community care practices to help deal with the realities of moving throughout the world in a Black TQN2SIA+ body.
Annually, Umoja youth organize Portland’s Night Out for Safety and Liberation #NOSL event to answer the questions of “how do we build safety beyond policing,” and “how do we keep each other safe”?
This year, we welcome our 9th Annual Umoja Kijana Shujaa Leadership Cohort. This program is a one-of-a-kind experience for Black TQN2SIA+ youth ages 14-24 to learn liberation practices and get paid while doing it. Through political art, civic engagement, and community connection, we empower young people to lead the resistance against the systems of oppression that surround them. All participants will be paid and may be eligible for rental assistance if they live in Multnomah County. Applications are open now!
[Image Description]: The image background is a mix of pink and coral and announces the Umoja Kijana Shujaa '25 program. At the top left is the Black & Beyond the Binary Collective. Below the logo is a circular photo showing a group of smiling Black Trans and Queer people. Above the photo, a stylized computer icon labeled "APPLY" is surrounded by yellow bursts. To the right of the photo, large, bold text announces "Umoja Kijana Shujaa '25 Applications Open!"At the bottom of the flier, on a teal-colored background, the program dates are listed as "June 26th - August 8th." The program takes place on "Thursdays 10-5 pm" and is for "Ages 14-24."A pink diamond shape with a black border in the bottom-left corner reads "Due May 11th."
A group of ten Black folks smile at the camera behind a green wall full of art.
Five Black folks smile for the camera and hold up a handmade sign that reads "Welcome to Night Out for Safety and Liberation."
Five Black folks smile for the camera while standing in front of a green wall and a staircase.
A group of nineteen Black folks pose for a photo
A group of nineteen Black folks pose outside for a photo
Two Black folks laugh outside. One person has their arms out and the other one is playfully pushing them away.
A group of six Black folks smile for the camera and pose next to a banner that reads "Divest from Prisons" with artwork of two Black folks on it.
A group of six Black smile out for the camera
Constructing Civic Dialogues
Coming up: Black Liberation and Indigenous Sovereignty. April 25th, 1-3pm on Zoom. More information and sign up coming soon.
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Constructing Civic Dialogues builds support for groups that provide free communication, mediation, and facilitation training services to Portland community members. These services offer third-party support for discussing challenging topics and have helped divert matters that might otherwise involve police intervention. Grantees offer culturally responsive, community-led, multilingual, and community-specific training and services at no cost to the public.
As we reimagine strategies to address conflict, racism, and community safety, we recognize the need for opportunities for participants to develop foundational skills in addressing community conflict, resolving it, and communicating. The Constructing Civic Dialogues Program is a concrete way for the City of Portland to channel multi-year financial resources to groups doing community-based work. We envision a future that gives power back to our communities, celebrates self-expression, and preserves the dignity, joy, and the future of Black Trans and Queer communities living fully liberated lives.
Ultimately, we believe that our friends, classmates, neighbors, and all in our community benefit from taking an active role in public safety discourse. We are working to connect with those who are curious and willing to dismantle institutions that are harming us for the sake of liberation, the dignity of our planet, and building something beyond the carceral punitive systems that disappear our communities. Everywhere, people are struggling to imagine how we can address harm without the state. These virtual events will build upon our collective imagination while beginning to address anti-Black racism in our movements.
All of our series will feature ASL and captions. You can register for our next Constructing Civic Dialogue programming here!
**Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this series do not necessarily represent those of the City of Portland. This webinar series has been made possible in part by a grant from the City of Portland, Office of Community & Civic Life.**