Family Reunion June 19, 2009 Join Us!

as the south goes . . . Periodical from Project South: Institute for the Elimination of Poverty & Genocide

Volume 17, Issue 1, Spring 2009

Juneteenth Family Reunion June 19, 2009 Join Us!

In this Issue: Feature article on race, colonialism, and liberation in the twenty-first century Updates: - Youth Community Action Program - Our Membership programs - The next US Social Forum As the South Goes . . . is a biannual publication of Project South. table of contents Editor & Layout: Stephanie Guilloud 9 Gammon Avenue Atlanta GA 303015 Feature Article 404.622.0602 Remembering Colonial Legacies . . 3 www.projectsouth.org Youth Community Action Border Movement Assembly . . . 5 staff Youth Speak Truth ...... 6 Christi Ketchum Bowman Reportbacks ...... 7 Executive Leadership Team

Stephanie Guilloud Executive Leadership Team Membership Program Midnite Schools ...... 8 Emery Wright Executive Leadership Team Juneteenth Gathering ...... 9

Fredando Jackson Communications & Outreach US Social Forum Coordinator Report & Updates ...... 10-11 Taliba Obuya Development Associate & Membership Coordinator Organizational Updates Celebrating our Board ...... 12 Celebrating Alice Lovelace ...... 13 board Welcoming Taliba Obuya ...... 14 Shields Scott - Co-Chair Atlanta, GA Membership Form on page 15 Angela Winfrey - Co-Chair Join Project South in 2009! People’s Institute, GA

Trap Bonner Moving Forward Gulf Coast, LA

Evan Milligan Equal Justice Initiative, AL editor’s note

Brenda Hyde In February, we held an Open House for our local mem- Southern Echo, MS bers and supporters in order to share our strategic di- rections in this critical moment. We are excited to share Genaro Lopez Rendon our work and vision with all of our friends and family Southwest Workers Union, TX through this biannual newsletter. This issue includes updates about our programs and organizational shifts as Suzanne Pharr well as an in-depth article discussing the roots of racism Knoxville, TN and active solidarity in the twenty-first century. This feature article continues an ongoing conversation on our Sandra Robertson histories and liberation struggles. Enjoy! Georgia Citizens’ Coalition on Hunger - Stephanie Guilloud Free Puerto Rico Free ourselves Remembering Colonial Legacies in the 21st Century By Emery Wright tionally. The Puerto Rican independence movement is a great place to start. This article is the first in a series of feature articles addressing how From Palin’s Alaska to Pinochet’s Chile, this entire hemi- colonialism affects our liberation struggles in the US. Additional sphere is rooted in a post-colonial occupation of indig- articles will examine relationships between the colonial legacy of enous land. Over the last 100 years, much of the colo- Mexico and the immigrant struggles in the US today as well as nized world (Africa, Latin America & Asia) have fought an extensive examination of the internal colonial legacy of Black for liberation and emancipation through anti-colonial America in the South as it relates to the 2010 US Social Forum struggles in terms of national independence. However, in Detroit. the “revolutionary” war that won independence from “So when did Racism come?” I had been asked this ques- Great Britain and established the USA was neither revo- tion before. The same honest, frustrated, and earnest ex- lutionary nor anti-colonial. Colonial settlers broke from pression on the young person’s face begged for an answer their colonial parent to establish a that made sense. “They came and got sovereign nation-state led by the set- us from Africa, we were brought here We often overlook the roots tlers. In fact, the newly independent and enslaved, the civil rights move- of European colonialism USA would go on to establish its ment happened, but where in there in the Americas and the own colonies throughout the western did Racism come?” The question dif- way these roots manifest hemisphere including on the island fers slightly based on who’s asking. politically today. of Puerto Rico. The imperial project This time a high school youth mem- to colonize Native land, through land ber at Project South was asking. In order to answer her theft and attempted genocide, leaves significant questions question, we have to remember the long history of the for social movements located in the US unresolved. United States and its colonial legacy. In this same vein, the Black experience in this hemi- Racism is a commonly used, catchall term that connects sphere descends from the largest and most brutal forced enslavement, generational poverty and exploitation in a labor project in modern World history. The imperial- simple word to talk about the complex issues we face in ist project to create and maintain an internal colony of our daily existence as part of the Black experience within Black labor pre-dates July 4, 1776. The United States so- the United States. Generally, we remember that slavery lidified the British, French, and Spanish colonial process happened in the US, but we only vaguely remember the in the Americas, taking more Native land and continuing imperialist project to colonize North and South America. enslavement for another century. Forced labor and social Within our nation’s collective consciousness, and even control moved from the plantation to the prison system, within our social movements, we often overlook the generational poverty, and exploitation of Black people. roots of European colonialism in the Americas and the The internal colonial project against Black Americans way these roots manifest politically today. The absence of persists today. remembering this “big picture” history leaves our society The Independence Movement for Puerto Rico is a cur- without clear answers to basic questions about ourselves rent example of a contemporary colony fighting for na- and our communities. tional liberation in the context of a larger global move- From conversations in prisons to college campuses peo- ment for social and economic justice. Social movements ple ask: ‘Why is it that we are in such bad shape? Why in the US can learn strategic lessons from acting in soli- do Black people living in the United States stay at the darity with this movement. bottom of employment and education and at the top of The US colonization of the newly independent island incarceration rates and impoverished neighborhoods?’ nation of Puerto Rico began in 1898. Spain, which re- The foundation of all Black liberation struggles in what leased Puerto Rico from being its colony two years ear- is now the United States from the 1600s to the present lier, ignored international law by “giving” the sovereign have asked and attempted to answer these questions. So- nation of Puerto Rico to the US as spoils from war. The cial movements have a responsibility in this historic mo- independence movement for self-determination in Puer- ment to understand how colonization and decolonization to Rico has been a fire burning inside and outside Puer- has everything to do with our liberation struggles to free to Rico ever since. Over the course of 2008 and 2009 ourselves. To engage in this struggle domestically, we must build solidarity with anti-colonial struggles interna- continued on page 4 continued from page 3 • The United Nations has a standing committee on co- Project South staff and members had the opportunity to lonial status and should be given responsibility to use its meet with representatives of the Hostosian National In- protocol to advance the decolonization process in Puerto dependence Movement (MINH) working for the libera- Rico. tion of Puerto Rico. In Atlanta, as part of a national tour, Community-Based Education Emely Alemany and Doris Pizarro spoke at two community meetings about their movement and introduced the • The process of colonialism and colonial status has a audience to a deeper understanding of this national lib- dramatic effect on the consciousness of the colonized. eration question in the context of broader class struggle. Puerto Rican people should lead a process of popular education at the grassroots to examine and discuss the Building relationships of solidarity between communities, process of imperialism and how it impacts Puerto Rican organizations, and movements in the US and in Puerto people. A widespread and deep understanding of the his- Rico will enhance our struggles and social movement in tory of colonialism itself among the Puerto Rican people this country. As US residents, we are directly affected by will be required for true sovereignty and self-determina- the US colonial project in Puerto tion to last. Rico, and we are accountable to the oppressive actions of our In thinking about how these government. A significant point elements and the concept of made by MINH in their pre- a decolonization process re- sentations included highlighting late to social movements in the financial costs of maintain- the United States, we have to ing a colony. Colonialism always remember how colonialism has been an expensive endeavor. developed over the course of Similar to foreign wars, the fed- this nation’s history. MINH argues that if Puerto Rico eral government spends US resist dents’ tax money on federal po- were to become a 51 State licing, investigations, and policies in the United States, it would of domination and social control be the culmination of the co- in Puerto Rico. As US residents lonial process. What does the we have a responsibility to stand culmination of the colonial with Puerto Rican people to Delegation from Puerto Rico Emely Alemany & Doris projects in the domestic US defend their right to self-deter- Pizarro speak on a panel with Ajamu Baraka of US of Native and Black peoples mination in whatever form that Human Rights Network and Akinyele Umoja from look like? What would be may take. Malcolm X Grassroots. the culmination of the process that sought to remove all In Puerto Rico, as in all anti-colo- Cherokee in the Trail of Tears from their land in mod- nial struggles, there is an advanced understanding about ern day Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina? What the wide-ranging impacts of colonialism on the colo- would be the culmination of an internal process to colonized. Rooted in this understanding, the MINH is calling nize Black life for labor? It could be answered that these for international support of a Puerto Rican-led decoloniza- battles were fought and lost. The battle to resist genocide tion process. The MINH in Puerto Rico express three im- and colonialism, however, still lives on within Native and portant elements of a decolonization process. As we in Black communities. It follows that one path to liberation the US face our domestic colonial legacy, we find helpful includes a decolonization process within our movements. instruction from the strategies of Puerto Rican Indepen- dence movements in the 21st Century: Part of the answer to the question asked by a Project South youth member lies in remembering our colonial Transfer of Power legacies and finding effective strategies to break from the • The colonial process has meant the absence of power colonial bonds that still hold our communities and social to lead any collective or representational decision making movements from achieving social and economic justice. on behalf of the Puerto Rican people. Some people might answer the young person’s question • The first step of decolonization must begin with a by saying that it doesn’t matter how you got knocked transfer of power from the colonizer, United States, to down. They would stress that the question is: How are the colonized, the Puerto Rican people. you going to rise? Understanding the root cause, however, of how we got knocked down is the only way we get International Oversight up and stay up. As we continue the daily work to build • In a decolonization process, the colonizer cannot be in long-term movements from the grassroots of our com- leadership of that transfer. There must be international munities, we have an opportunity to face our colonial oversight to ensure accountability and justice within the legacy and integrate strategies of decolonization within decolonization process. our efforts. bridging the gap through solidarity Border Movement Assembly - March 2009 By Lyntoria Newton of the Kelly Air Force Base. Innocent residents have died Lyntoria attended the Border Move- from living in the neighbor- ment Assembly with a Project South hood surrounding the base delegation incluing Brandon Ander- son, Corina McCarthy-Fadel, and called the “toxic triangle.” Emery Wright. The Assembly was This area has been deemed facilitated by partner organization safe by the federal govern- Southwest Workers Union in San ment. I had the opportunity Antonio Texas. Lyntoria will gradu- to meet people like SWU ate from the New Schools at Carver member Robert Alvarez who this year and is a member of Youth lives with health issues be- Speak Truth. cause of the chemicals that were being released from the Just last month I was honored base into their backyards. to attend the Border People’s Movement Assembly in San An- At the end of each day after tonio, Texas. When our flight talking about some pretty first landed I was pleasantly heavy issues and serious surprised that the weather was situations we all reflected by so warm . . . in March! Shortly giving our opinion of what after getting through the termi- went well that day. This part nal, we were warmly welcomed of the day was especially to the city of San Antonio by important to me because I the Southwest Workers Union had the opportunity to hear Border Assembly Coordinator, I was shocked at how about the issues that were Ruben Solis. On the first day willingly the adults worked on top of everyone’s list of the assembly I was excited and why everyone was there to hear and learn more about with young people to form in the first place. the issues regarding immigra- a collective voice. The entire time I was there I tion and environmental jus- was immersed in Latino cul- tice in San Antonio and at the ture. I stayed with Yvonne Mexican border. As I entered Hernandez, a member of SWU’s youth chapter called the meeting room, I was graced by various dialects of the Youth Leadership Organization (YLO), and her hos- the Spanish language. At first I was lost in translation, pitable family. I ate delicious Mexican food for break- but soon I was guided to what Ruben called the English fast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert! Plus, on one of the table. During the assembly, the primary language spoken nights we went dancing at a Mexican Club. was Spanish. Because of this I was very happy that there During the Border People’s Movement Assembly, we also was always someone there to translate so that I never felt built a relationship with the youth of SWU and started out of the loop. the planning process of the South by Southwest Youth Of the sixty people that attended the event there were Summit which will take place this August. Our visit to over ten states and five countries represented. Attending San Antonio included a true balance of activist organiz- as a youth representative of Youth Speak Truth Radio ing and chill, laidback fun. I can honestly say that I felt I was shocked at how willingly the adults worked with like everyone left this event with a precise assurance of young people to form a collective voice. Allowing every- change. one’s voice to be heard was defiantly prioritized as a must during this assembly. The next Border Movement Assembly is During a tour led by Southwest Workers Union (SWU) scheduled for September 18-20, 2009 in El Director and Project South Board Member, Genaro Lo- Paso! Contact Ruben at [email protected] pez-Rendon, I learned about the environmental impact- youth speak truth radio program

Niqua Douglas In the WRFG studio Friday night in the Youth Speak Truth studio a bimonthly current affairs radio program on WRFG 89.3 Maggie Etuk interviews Fridays 7:30-8pm participants at a rally in Selma, Alabama in March 2009 shows have included: * Yes we can, but what about Palestine? Interviews with Atlanta Palestinian organizers * South by Southwest: Interviews with organizers from Texas, Louisiana, & Alabama *Youth Leadership & Community Organizing: Interview with the Boston Youth Organizing Project * Discussion on Violence in the Community & in our Schools Upcoming shows: Santrechee’l May 15, May 29, June 12, June 26 Julian prepares before the show Atlanta Youth Community Action Program

Parents, adult allies, & youth leaders

Recently, Youth Speak Truth (YST) youth attended an Environmental Summit in Chattanooga, Tennessee. On the tour of the city, we learned about the issues Chattanooga is facing with the contamination from historical WWII factory sites, some of which are still up and running today. We visited the Bunge Edible Keanu Velez at work Oil factory, which contains plenty of hazardous ma- terials. We learned about the presence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. We went to the Chattanooga River and learned about the coal-tar build up in the river. We saw different sites that were contaminated and became Superfund sites, places that are being worked on by the Environmental Protection Agency to become decontaminated. Project South led a workshop, and we explored the depth of environmental injustice beyond pollution and contamination issues. The environment includes Fenell Wilkins in action your home life, family, school, and even the food you choose to consume. It was a productive trip. ~ Eshe Shukura

The SCCPI is a youth leadership development and community organizing skills building experience for young people living in the Greater Atlanta area. We will use local & regional history to learn about community organizing and to develop our skills to Team building in Tennessee make positive community change. The SCCPI will take place from June 1 to June 30th and this summer SCCPI participants will be working to plan a Youth Summit to be held in August 2009. If you have questions or would like to apply Septima Clark for the SCCPI please contact us. All participants Community Power will be awarded a $400 stipend at the end of the program. Institute - June 2009 Contact Emery Wright or Fredando Jackson at 404.622.0602 or [email protected]

Midnite school monthly membership meetings

In March 2009, Project South launched a monthly political education program to engage local membership and community folks. Named for the historical phenom- enon of enslaved Africans gathering in the middle of the night to teach each other to read and write, the Midnite School’s name refers to the need to continually prepare ourselves for liberation through collective learning. March 31: “Who’s controlling our minds, bodies, and spirits? Mab Segrest, promi- nent Southern queer writer, pictured at right with Christi, led a discussion about her research on the Milledgeville insane Upcoming Midnite asylum and the connections between School Sessions mental health, disability, race, gender, and sexuality. May 21: Peace of Mind - An April 22: “What’s the difference between evening of cultural & artistic being Black and being American? We ex- expression for youth & plored the history of Black radical tradi- adults 6-10pm at Vino Libro tions including the Haitian revolution, Nat June: Juneteenth Gathering Turner’s revolt, and the civil rights move- (see next page) ment in the US South. We discussed the questions facing Black liberation struggles July: Environmental Justice in the 21st century in relation to all peo- August: ple’s struggles for freedom. Forced Migration - Disaster & To join the Midnite School Planning Team Displacement contact Christi Ketchum Bowman September: at [email protected] or call Transforming Community 404.622.0602

Unlock the Setup Saturday Assembly

HOOPS 4 PEACE 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

PIC Toolkit Remix Collaboration to update our popular education curriculum on social control, prisons, & organizing

Beyond Borders Juneteenth is a traditional celebration of the ending of slavery, belatedly announced on the shores of Galves- 2020 Vision & Strategy Session ton TX in 1865. The powers of industry and politics in to build alternatives to violence the South were still in competition with the North and betrayed the vision of freedom through enacting Black Codes that led to Jim Crow laws that led to the mass incarceration of Black people that continues into the 21st century. Despite this enduring legacy of system- All-Member People’s Assembly ic oppression, the Black liberation struggle planted deep roots of resiliency in the How do we confront violence and social South. Sharecroppers Unions challenged sti- control in our communities and across fling economic policies in the late 1800s and the South ? We’ll come together in the early 1900s. Septima Clark & Ella Baker edu- afternoon to share our visions and cated and organized mass numbers in the strategies for change. 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organized regional leadership and confronted segregation with direct action in the 60s. Mothers and families organized to confront police neglect in the missing and murdered children cases in Atlanta in the late 70s. Up & Out of Poverty Coalitions raised the minimum wage and challenged unjust wel- fare laws in the 80s and 90s. Black solidarity with immigrant and migrant workers emerged in the 90s and has grown. We celebrate the paths our ancestors have laid, and we commit to building movements over the next two decades to achieve even broader visions. In 2009, Project South will host a Membership Gathering & Assembly to build strategies for community-based alternatives to prisons and all forms of violence in our communities. UNLOCK the SETUP: Let’s build our movements from the grassroots! Your participation in the Juneteenth Membership Gathering will evolve our multidimensional understanding of the Southern political landscape in this new moment. REGISTER NOW! Your voice is essential To register & attend, please contact Taliba at 404.622.0602 or [email protected] join us in june! ALL ARE WELCOME! Project South releases: Report on the first US Social Forum

An excerpt follows: In any effort so large, there are multiple perspectives Thirdly, we and an infinite number of activities, processes, and must practice dynamics that should be discussed to understand the building flex- implications for moving forward. Project South offers ible infrastruc- our experience, analysis, and recommendations for tures that will the social forum process in the US from our unique sustain our communities beyond the empty promises perspective as the anchor organization and as partici- of the state or private sectors. The local organizing pants on many levels of the work, planning, and vi- and coordination necessary to host the Forum offers sion for the Forum. We offer recommendations so unprecedented opportunities to practice constructing that we as converging movements, so necessary in this that infrastructure on local levels. The local site also time, can learn from mistakes and adjust our practices offers opportunities to lift up regional realities to a na- so that we move forward together and more power- tional scale and to evolve the Forum model based on fully than any of us have imagined. the specific political location it inhabits. The process of organizing the US Social Forum in We examine those three practices from the unique per- this historical moment evolves three major practices spective of the anchor organization in order to better toward movement building in the twenty-first century understand the possibility of the USSF as a movement in the United States. First, the process shows that we building practice in this country. We discuss the pur- must build our movements with integrity and inten- pose and methodologies of the Forum in the US to tion at every level simultaneously - locally, regionally, ensure that the next US Social Forum maintains trans- and nationally. In order to build movements in the formative processes linked to a broader vision. South- US that can actually respond to regional crises of the ern participation not only mobilized major attendance magnitude of the Gulf Coast Crisis, resolve the eco- but also created many key structures and practices. De- nomic and climate crises, and respond effectively to scribing the work of the Southeast as the anchor re- the ongoing imperialist corporatist occupation inter- gion is essential so that the Forum in the US can grow nationally, we must take leadership from people ex- and change as our movements and conditions shift. periencing the effects locally, build cross-regional alli- ances to lift up the similarities and distinctions within The US Social Forum in Atlanta in 2007 is not an end, experience, analysis, and practice, and create spaces to but one of many steps in the long, rigorous process to intervene on national levels. The USSF is unique as a build powerful massive movements tied by true rela- process because for it to succeed it must also function tionships and sophisticated, cross-region, intersectional and build at all three levels. strategy. Secondly, new organizing models must be designed When asked what came out of the Forum, as planners and tested. In an era of massive displacement, our and visionaries of that space we answer: the practice communities must have new ways of finding each of building authentic and sustainable movements to other, building analysis, and connecting to movement. scale; the development of innovative organizing meth- The design and implementation of innovative spaces ods that increase participation by responding to both to mobilize towards and participate in the first US So- urgency and desire; and the experience of building cial Forum matches people’s current momentum and something together that favors visionary practice over provides lessons about space, purpose, and method in reactive response. our work. Download the full report from our website: www.projectsouth.org 10 The Road to Detroit & the US Social Forum II from the A to the

Project South is thrilled to announce that the second US Social Forum will be held in Detroit, Michigan in June 2009. Fierce organizers and community members who have struggled on the frontlines of systemic economic collapse in Detroit for decades have joined the social forum process in this country. The National Plan- ning Committee, of which Project South and the Detroit munity alternatives. Detroit’s history is also rooted in a anchor organizations are a part, explored several options wide spectrumD of worker justice, low-income organiz- for the site of the forum, and Detroit emerged as a pow- ing, immigrant and migrant work, youth organizing and erful and relevant location. expression, and many other community-based efforts to survive and thrive amidst some of the most devas- Launched in 2005 through the efforts of the Grassroots tating conditions. Detroit’s history includes the urban re- Global Justice alliance, the social forum organizing repre- bellions of 1967 and sents a process to con- the founding of the verge our movements, Dodge Revolution- advance our effective- June 22-26, 2010 ary Union Movement ness, and connect to (DRUM) of Black global movements auto workers. Detroit around the world. We Save the date for the next includes powerful in- are excited to build on digenous organizing the momentum of the US Social Forum across international first US Social Forum borders. The history held in Atlanta in 2007. of Mexican immigrant experiences in the auto plants in- The Southeast showed up in force, and it is critical that cludes a corporate effort in the 1930s to de-patriate entire the Southeast show our movements’ strength in Detroit. families to Mexico, but many families returned to build The South is tied to the Detroit experience through fam- strong communities in Southwest Detroit. Dearborn, a ily legacies, worker migration, and the current realities of city inside Detroit, holds one of the largest Arab and Pal- displacement and power struggles facing many of our estinian populations in the US. Communities across the communities. Project South’s founder Jerome Scott hails city are cultivating urban gardens, educational centers, from Detroit, and we look forward to articles exploring and organizational institutions to provide basic needs these connections. and confront poverty at its core. Detroit is more than a symbol of our failing economy. Detroit is a movement hub of organizing rooted in com- We look forward to building active solidarity with the people & struggles of Detroit. See you in the D! Project South is proud to participate in organizing efforts that will lead up to the second US Social Forum including: - Attending & supporting the Kentucky Social Forum to be held in Berea, KY on July 31-August 1 - www.kentuckysocialforum.org - Co-leading the People’s Movement Assembly process with Southwest Workers Union by designing a clear and accessible process for community participation throughout the next year and beyond - Planning a South by Southwest Youth Summit in August 2009 - Connecting organizations and communities to the open process 11 Our legacy is our path forward Celebrating the Project South Board members By Christi Ketchum Bowman LOVE & GRATITUDE Dedicated to all our Board Members from Where in the world can you across the decades. Specfically, we want to meet so many committed, sup- acknowledge and recognize the contributions of portive and hardworking people the Board that served over the years 2003-2008: working for justice? I have had Eshanda Fennell, Rose Brewer, Abbie the pleasure of working with people who fit that description Illenberger, Shields Scott, Rita Valenti, for the last eight years. I’m talk- Tomas Encarnacion, Genaro Lopez ing about the Board members of Project South. The Board has Rendon, John O’Neal, Andrea Mercado, been a major part of our orga- Nanyamka Shukura, Stella Williams, nization since the beginning. In 1986, we were working against Tameka Wynn Sesay, Lisa Albrecht, and oppression and injustice in the Walda Katz Fishman. Blackbelt of Alabama, and we Special love to our brother Clark McKnight. officially received our 501(c)3 status in 1991. Being a Board Member at Project South means long hours, taking notes, facilitating evaluations, selling With assistance from Helen Kim in the beginning and and writing curriculum, coordinating meetings, building much time, energy, and attention by everyone through- relationships, giving a helping hand, and stretching your- out the process, we self-facilitated an unprecedented self in many ways. When we get together as an organiza- transition that includes the transition of Founder Jerome tion, it doesn’t feel like a board meeting but more like a Scott, Board Chair Walda Katz-Fishman, and lastly the family reunion. We work, laugh, play, disagree, challenge transition of our 14-member board. each other, and get the job done - all within the context Empowered by the full board, the Executive Leadership of understanding our role in the movement and the im- Team and the Board Leadership Team, a smaller team of portance of the 23-year legacy we have established lo- five board members, orchestrated and fulfilled our goal cally, regionally, and nationally. to complete the process of Project South’s transition. We For the last two years Project South has undergone a ma- participated in many conversations and worked through jor transition and transformation. This process started misunderstandings and agreements until we could move in March 2007 in the midst of organizing and anchor- forward in this next chapter with a collective sense of ing the first US Social Forum. The Executive Leadership clarity and understanding of the social, economic, and Team worked hard to move forward with our founders political moment. In May, we will have our first board and board members to make this transition a success. meeting with new members, representing the Southeast

Over the past year, Project South’s Board Leadership Team (Abbie Illenberger, Rita Valenti, Shields Scott, Rose Brewer, and Eshanda Fennell) worked with the Executive Leadership Team to craft and implement the final stage of the organization’s transition initiated in 2006. The 2009 Project South board was selected and invited by the full out-going board based on a rigorous set of criteria and functions. Our full incoming board is listed on page 2.

12 region with the goals of collabo- this transition, making Project ration, representation, historical South stronger, wiser and truly continuity, and commitment to original. As stakeholders and strengthen the leadership of the fighters for justice we have lots South. more to do, but knowing we This is an exciting moment for stand in the wake of the war- Project South in so many ways. riors who came before us gives We enter this next phase with love, us vigor and vision for the years happiness, and best wishes to all ahead. I will miss seeing your who have contributed to Proj- faces at our board meetings but ect South. We continue to move your contributions are forever forward with the support of our Genaro, Rita, Eshanda, & Andrea at the carved into the landscape of founders, members, past and pres- 21st Anniversary in May 2008 Project South. Project South’s transition signals not an end, ent board members, donors, and or- Full Board pictured at left in 2007 ganizational partners. but another beginning to work together in strategic and mean- To all our board members I person- ingful ways. We all have differ- ally want to thank you all for being patient, supportive, ent roles, but the mission and purpose is the same. helpful, and for sharing your knowledge and experiences. All of us have made sacrifices and contributed greatly to We look forward to hearing, seeing, and talking to you soon!

In this world there are Movers and Shakers, you are both. In this world, there are People of Action and People of Deeds, and you are both. Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network & National Planning Committee of the USSF

Project South celebrates Alice Lovelace, the National Lead Organizer for the first US Social Forum. A long-time member of Project South, Alice’s work and contributions to the Atlanta and Southeast communities pre-dated her tenure with the Social Forum. Her work for and with the US Social Forum process extended far beyond any official or single staff position. As the only staff for the process for the first year and a half, Alice worked closely with all USSF planning bodies, in addition to establishing comprehensive financial, logistical, and communication systems that would last the entirety of the process. Her careful and precise work ensured that the process was financially sound and politically viable. Her outreach to key communities ensured the participation of leadership from a diverse cross-section of social justice movements including but not limited to the Latino immigrant community in Atlanta and beyond, African-American leadership, faith-based leadership, Arab communities, socially minded academics and university professors, as well as cultural workers from across the country. Her exhaustive work throughout the process contributed skills, connections, and expertise that were needed for the success of such a massive event and process. Her work over the last year in cre- ating thorough and detailed reports on each of the potential sites for the second US Social Forum is impressive because of the specific- ity she drew from direct experience. These reports completed what, for all intent and purposes, would be the first three to five months work of any logistics coordinator in any of these sites. After a selec- tion and organizing process to determine Detroit, MI as the next site, Alice completed her work with the Forum and has transitioned to an exciting new position as the Associate Director of the American Friends Service Committee, Southeast Regional Office in Atlanta. Alice served as a leader, a coordinator, an artist, and mentor to At- lanta, Southeast, and national leaders in the USSF process. We are looking forward to working with Alice as she continues her important work in our movements.

13 Welcome Taliba Obuya Taliba Obuya joined the Project South staff in June 2008 as our newest addition to the team. She acts as Project South’s Development Associate and Membership Coordinator. As a skilled and dedicated community activist who also works with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement here in Atlanta, Taliba brings curiosity, excitement, and strong commitment to movement building work in the South. From Houston originally, Taliba celebrates her February birthday as only a true Texan can. Big. Why are you with Project South? I’m really more of a fan than a staff member of Project South. Because what we put out there as our principles, I also experience inside of the organization. It is a community force that does what it says. Project South is mindblowingly ahead of the game. What are your proudest accomplishments over the last few years (before coming to Project South)? I am proud of starting the Daughters of the Diaspora, an Afrikan Sisterhood. It’s a community space for women to express our responsibility to the community – to evolve and get involved. I am proud of my work with the US Human Rights Network to organize in the Gulf Coast. I participated in the UN courts in Geneva to support young people testifying around housing justice, and it was an amazing experience. What are your goals over the next few years? One of my goals is to build the grassroots fundraising up to 60% of our organizational budget. Also, to ground our prison and social control work in the community, and make it tangible and easy to access across the region. If you could kick it with any three folks who would they be? Malcolm X, Ms. Ella Baker, and a person from the Maroon communities who sought their liberation and obtained it. Where can we find you on the weekends? Organizing in the Washington Park community or playing with my nieces and nephews. What’s one vision you hold for a liberated world? Global solidarity. And by that I mean, a time when we are personally invested in other people’s struggles as part of our own struggles. And when we see the system as the oppressor, not a person who looks different from us. If you could give only one book to a young person who you love, what would it be? Assata Shukura – the Autobiography 14 Your Support is Essential! Yes! I want to join Project South! Contributing Members Name ______Oct 08 thru Mar 09: Jessica Walker, Lorenzo Herrera, Michael E. Eisencher, Ralph C. Gomes, Marian Douglass, Zachariah Mampilly, Childrens Organization ______Biligual Theater Fund, Douglass E Wingeier Trust, Paul Kivel, Joshua M Noblitt, Nick Danna, Daniel Address ______Berger, Vasilikie Demos, Felicia R Mednick, Iimay Ho, Lars R Bauerle, Alice Lovelace, Andrea Mercado, City ______State _____ Zip ______Anjulie Knowles, Ariel Zaslav, B.R. Shooshani, Becky Rafter, Betsy Corner and Randy Kehler, Phone ______Fax ______Caitlin Breedlove, Catherine E. Rion, Clarietha Allen, Darci Rodenhi, David George, David N Email ______Smokler, Ellyo Peary, Erica Holloman, Georgia Black United Fund., Glo Ross, Gray Panthers Of Metropolitan Washington, Helen Kim, Holiday MONTHLY GIVING Simmons, Janette Powell, Jean Marie Mauclet & Monthly Giving Levels: $10, $20, $25, $50, $100 or more! Gweylene Gallimard, Jozan Powell, Karen Denise Adams, Kimberly L. Joseph - Mark A. Joseph, Laura I pledge to give $____ each month Moye, LeCrecia Williams, Martina Gillis-Massey, to Project South. Please charge my gift to: Melissa Pittman, Michael Gast, Milton L Shapiro II, Molly McClure, Penelope R Moore-Fennell, Regina __ Visa __ Master Card __ AmEx Easley, Roberto Tijerina, Sherwood Holloway, on the 15th of every month. Theodora Copley, Tim & Barbara D’Emilio, Tonya Williams, Vicki Legion, Lisa D. Albrecht, Victoria Account # ______Cohen-Crumpton, Wisconsin Historical Society, Expiration Date ______Yas Ahmed, Brenda Randolph, & Tonya Williams Name on card (please print) ______Major Donors - $250 & up ______Gabriel Sayegh, Paulina Hernandez, Nancy Dalwin, Please provide us with your contact/billing Joshua Raisler Cohn, Jerome Scott, Anonymous, address in the box above. Don Clelland & Wilma Dunaway, Melanie & Rod Bush, Tufara Waller Muhammad, Rose Brewer, MEMBERS = Frontline Troublemakers Abbie Illenberger, Alberta Maged, John O’Neal, $100 / year = employed @ living wage Rita Valenti, Sara Kershnar, Susan Hopkins, Suzanne Pharr, Winky Foundation, Theresa El Amin, $25 / year = employed full-time Trevor Baumgartner, Walda Katz Fishman, Wendi $10 / year = part-time or student O’Neal, Will Cordery, Anne Olson, Bert Skellie, Caroline McAndrews, Nancy B. Guilloud, Eshanda $1 / year = unemployed or incarcerated Fennell, Everette Thompson, Margaret Mermin, Noah Winer, Amanda Lewis & Tyrone Forman, MAJOR DONORS Ann Mahoney & Fred Rossini, Gwen Patton, $1000 / year = Agitator Christine Sleeter, Frances Kunreuther, Gloria & John Slaughter, Henry Kahn, Stella Williams, Jules $500 / year = Facilitator Dykes, Kenyon Farrow, Shields Scott, Tema Okun, $250 / year = Strategist William Tanzman, Dan Leahy, Holmes Hummel, Sam Hummel, David Marsh, Isa Williams, Isabell ALL financial contributions are tax-deductible! Moore, Jeff Metzger, Avi Peterson, Lou Rohr, Michael Prokosch, Miya Yoshitani-Danny Kennedy, Complete this form and send check Ellen Gurzinsky, Barbara Hall, Renate Lunn, Kashka to ‘Project South’ Scott, Makani Themba-Nixon, & Sara Leedom 9 Gammon Ave / Atlanta GA 30315 OR We attempt to list all our contributors and JOIN ONLINE apologize for any omissions. www.projectsouth.org 15 Project South NON-PROFIT ORG. 9 Gammon Avenue, SW U.S. POSTAGE Atlanta GA 30315 PAID Atlanta, GA PERMIT NO. 1510

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED