By Ade Oguntoye

In order for Black people to truly “see” each other across the Diaspora and on the continent of Africa, we must do so through our own eyes. Unfortunately, too much of the way we experience each other is shaped by lenses created from the experience of chattel slavery and colonization. As a result, meaningful funding toward Black-led solutions is not distributed based on what is good and best for Black people, but what is palatable for all who are comfortable with maintaining the status quo.

Programs and policies that serve to reduce harm in black communities are not intended to lead to the liberation and self determination that Black people deserve. It is why we formed The Imperative, a global fund dedicated to the wealth, health and social connectedness of Black people. The Imperative has demonstrated what centering Black people looks like in grantmaking with its first grant awarded to The Shima Leadership Academies Foundation (The Shima Foundation). 

The Shima Foundation is based in Kenya and aims to create opportunities for young girls and boys from marginalized backgrounds to access quality education and training opportunities that would usually not be readily available to them. The grant was given to promote a common language between members of the global Black community, by developing a Kiswahili (Swahili) language curriculum in partnership with the University of Nairobi and The National Museums of Kenya. 

The Imperative and The Shima Foundation see the use of a common indigenous African language as a key piece to building mutual respect for our global experiences and culture. It is as a way of bridging understanding and collaboration among people of African descent. Language has been a major barrier to unity and cooperation. Kiswahili is increasingly becoming a connector of Black people across cultural and geographical boundaries. So we intentionally choose to promote this rich language to bring people together while expanding opportunities for young Black people across Africa and the Diaspora. 

The curriculum and app that are currently being created will be available to English speakers throughout the Diaspora to develop proficiency in this indigenous African language. We will start with a pilot program between school systems in Kenya and the US. The centering of connections between Black people through our culture, history and experiences is an example of how The Imperative will give.

We are clear that there is a difference between serving Black people and centering Black people in our giving. Centering requires more than just thinking about how to improve current conditions. It requires us to ask a slightly different question in partnership with our people – what is truly necessary to promote the well-being of Black people, and how do we do so with a global perspective that acknowledges the value and importance of the African Diaspora? The solutions and strategies may look different. For example, while there may be a current focus on structural racism when you serve Black people. Centering Black people may ask us to address internalized racism. The methodologies, strategies, resources needed and focus will and must be different as a result. We ask our leaders, allies, advocates and our diaspora communities to journey with us toward these new and different solutions.