In honor of Black History month, Saturu Ned, educator, community architect and former member of the original Black Panther Party, led a deep listening session for the neighborhood. Saturu Ned joined the Black Panther Party in 1968. Today he continues the ideology and practice of Real Power to the People through his work to create self-sufficiency, self-determination and economic freedom for our families, friends and communities. Collaborating with Shawn Granberry, Saturu continues his activism Black Panther Power, an organization that sells BPP apparel to support young adult education programs. Phat Beets, a local food justice organization, provided delicious and healthy snacks.

Reviewing the many revolutionary survival programs, Brother Saturu celebrated the party’s work in the community while emphasizing the current applicability of the BPP approach to creating self-sufficiency and freedom in our neighborhoods. One workshop highlight was Brother Saturu's stories about his membership in the Black Panter's R&B band the Lumpen--playing their music and addressing how the five members of the band revolutionized black popular music into a medium where the BPP message could be widely shared and understood. Saturu was interviewed by KALW local public radio journalists; stay tuned to hear him on future programming.

At the end of the event, community members were asked the question “Where do we go from here?” to inform future workshops with Saturu Ned. Here are some of the responses:

What are your community’s five greatest needs?

Housing/shelter/housing security/displacement

Making real connections between people in a time when we’re all side-tracked; neighbors are no longer on the streets and don’t know each other

Neighbors are no longer on the streets & don't know each other

Fixing up homes for the elderly & families who can’t afford it

Living wages/employment

Healthcare/mental health

Dialog between the residents who’ve been here awhile & those with wealth moving in

Fix roads/sidewalks/deal with trash dumping

What skills do you need to meet your community’s needs?

Dedication

Oral history workshops

Tenant rights support

Free legal services

Meeting neighbors, making connections

How to organize