Black Alliance & Social Empowerment

BASE is a nonprofit community organization that provides events, community information-sharing, connection, support, and resources that work towards the well-being and advancement of Black residents living in Southern Oregon.

We serve to build an inclusive community to combat structural racism that is still prevalent today. After centuries of slavery, Jim Crow, and exclusionary codes particularly here in Oregon, Black people's lives have been negatively impacted. Our goal is to create a welcoming, supportive and shareable platform for Black community members to connect, collaborate and ultimately prosper in Southern Oregon.

Assisting to build community:

As a community-driven platform with a vision of prosperity, our work focuses on 5 key objectives for building unity within our community.

  • A welcoming and inviting connection to a visibly progressing Black community.
  • A platform for sharing community information and updates.
  • Community events and BASE Featured events that are centered around celebration, connection and empowerment.
  • Education & support programs for the future of our children and youth.
  • Community collaboration with individuals, groups & organizations that work towards community advancement.

Our Vision:     We envision a thriving Black community.

Our Mission:   To assist in building community where Black people are empowered to succeed.

Our Values:     Follow the 7 rich cultural principles of Kwanzaa.

  • Unity – The first step towards building a successful community.
  • Self-determination - BASE is a resource of support, but it’s our individual responsibility to take action into our future.
  • Collective Work and Responsibility – Collaboration and collectively working towards building our community is essential to sustain progress.
  • Cooperative Economics – Great economics is an important way for a community to flourish. This creates access to opportunities supporting businesses that service our community for everyone’s advancement.
  • Purpose - Aim together towards building a thriving community.
  • Creativity – Continue to find innovative ideas to create a beautiful and successful Southern Oregon for all.
  • Faith - By honoring African American history and past triumphs through adversity, we ultimately understand collectively we can overcome anything.

Kwanzaa:

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Marked by the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, political assassinations, and a divisive counterculture, in 1966, Blacks were searching for their identity by challenging racism, discrimination, the right to vote, education, and white supremacy.

In search of that change, there were many riots all over the country. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Karenga envisioned a concept that would organize and unify African Americans across the nation.

Out of this turbulent period, Kwanzaa was created, meaning “the first fruits.” As a cultural, family, community, and a national celebration bringing people together, it ultimately seeks to provide the framework towards building a thriving community.