About Us
WE ARE
MEMBER LED
The Black Organizing Project is a Black multi-generational member-led community organization working for racial, social, and economic justice through grassroots organizing and community building in Oakland, California, and across the Bay Area.
Our vision is to build a strong, bottom-up organization of Black people that will:
- Craft alternative models and institutions that will advance our vision of racial and economic justice.
- Rebuild the spirit and foundation of our community.
- Exercise political and economic power.
- Act to win real systemic change.
- Transform the lives of Black people.
- Embody the spirit that has sustained the Black community.
- Craft alternative models and institutions that will advance our vision of racial and economic justice.
- Rebuild the spirit and foundation of our community.
- Exercise political and economic power.
- Act to win real systemic change.
- Transform the lives of Black people.
- Embody the spirit that has sustained the Black community.
Our Work
Bettering Our School
System - BOSS
The Black Organizing Project launched the Bettering Our School System (BOSS) Campaign in October 2011, in response to the murder of 20-year old Raheim Brown by Oakland Police Sgt. Bhatt. After learning of Raheim’s murder, and witnessing the lack of accountability on behalf of the school board in rectifying and addressing the tragedy — our members wanted justice for Raheim and the many Black boys, girls, and families that have been and continue to be targeted by anti-Black policing. We studied the broader issue of police violence in communities of color, and the continued criminalization of Black youth in particular, in order to begin to transform the climate and culture within the Oakland Unified School District. After months of research, listening sessions, door knocking, strategy sessions, and community outreach, we launched the Bettering Our School System campaign to:
- Abolish the Oakland School Police Department.
- End the criminalization of Black and Brown students in the Oakland Unified School District.
- Invest in alternative models of school safety that do not rely on police.
- Restructure the current policies and practices within OUSD, which do not take a restorative justice approach to student discipline, to put an end to the the school-to-prison pipeline.
The Black Organizing Project launched the Bettering Our School System (BOSS) Campaign in October 2011, in response to the murder of 20-year old Raheim Brown by Oakland Police Sgt. Bhatt. After learning of Raheim’s murder, and witnessing the lack of accountability on behalf of the school board in rectifying and addressing the tragedy — our members wanted justice for Raheim and the many Black boys, girls, and families that have been and continue to be targeted by anti-Black policing. We studied the broader issue of police violence in communities of color, and the continued criminalization of Black youth in particular, in order to begin to transform the climate and culture within the Oakland Unified School District. After months of research, listening sessions, door knocking, strategy sessions, and community outreach, we launched the Bettering Our School System campaign to:
- Abolish the Oakland School Police Department.
- End the criminalization of Black and Brown students in the Oakland Unified School District.
- Invest in alternative models of school safety that do not rely on police.
- Restructure the current policies and practices within OUSD, which do not take a restorative justice approach to student discipline, to put an end to the the school-to-prison pipeline.
Developing A New Generation of Leaders
We believe that those most harmed by structural racism and anti-Black policing must demand change that provides immediate relief and improvement, while building towards long-term structural change. Through grassroots organizing of youth, parents and community leaders, we have been able to put in place local policies and agreements while strengthening the bonds and resilience of our communities in Oakland and across the Bay Area. Our work has transformed institutions and communities as we know them.
Grassroot Organizing and Leadership Development
Organizing Black communities to build power and create change is our theory of change. Through grassroots organizing and leadership development, we will transform Oakland schools so the success and well being of Black students is a priority, and Black communities have the political power they need for self-determination and thriving. BOP also organizes Black communities in Oakland and across the Bay Area to address issues of structural racism and social inequity. By building a strong base of engaged community members, we are able to advance our agenda and respond quickly and powerfully when issues arise. BOP carries out member-led campaigns to change institutional, local and statewide policies that advance abolition and transform systems that no longer serve us. We seek to replace the current system of structural racism, in which Black people are systematically shut out of the decision-making process. By organizing our communities, we are creating greater access to resources and opportunities we need to keep our communities safe and economically sustainable.
Building a United Front
As we continue to grow, BOP is expanding its leadership in the growing police-free schools movement. While BOP is an all Black, member-led organization, we are clear that everybody has a role to play, because we all are impacted by anti-Blackness. A united front is critical to ensure that policies are not just won, but real cultural and social shifts happen. We believe that change is sustained by a movement that is grounded in solidarity and respect. We call out to potential allies and supporters to join us.
Interested in becoming a BOP member or participating in our larger supporter space? Email info@blackorganizingproject.org to see how you can get engaged!
Arts, Culture & Political Education
Revolutionary movements have always included arts and culture work. Many of our traditions and lessons — are passed down through art and culture. We honor this history and understand the critical importance of art and culture being interwoven into our movements as tools for expression and healing. Our organizing work is grounded in a politic and understanding of our conditions, as well as being infused with arts and culture, as we honor the ways of our revolutionary ancestors. Our member leaders lead this part of our work. This is the work of fighting for revolution as we move towards true Black liberation. An example of our cultural work is BOP’s “OurStory” political education series on topics like Black love, Black art and music, and Black history in Oakland. Through this and other programs, we engage the community in a way that inspires community dialogue, collaboration, and collective thinking.