GUIDING PRINCIPLES
"Not just about a dollar."
We are here to build a better world.
The BAF is not just about economics. We are here to build a better world for ourselves by creating model Black communities that truly reflect the beauty and genius of the African mind and spirit.
To guide us, we will adhere to the following African-centered and humanitarian principles.
"God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be."
- Hon. Marcus Garvey
The BAF is modeled on the principles of collective economics (Ujamaa) and collective ownership. The basic premise of collective economics is that we can raise more capital together than individually. For example, $9 a month does not amount to much for one individual, but $9 a month from 10 million people amounts to over $1 billion, enough to provide all types of free and lower cost programs, services and products to each member.
Collective ownership is a key component of collective economics. It gives members direct control over all group assets. By collectively owning the institutions in our community we control the personnel and quality of service. This ensures that the community cannot be exploited by wealthy capitalists.
COLLECTIVE ECONOMICS
Unity is the foundation to our power. Pride in who we are and where we came from provides us with the confidence, self-esteem and blueprint to overcome any obstacle placed before us. We cannot love being African American but hate being African. It is a contradiction that results in confusion, alienation, spiritual chaos and more increasingly mental illness and suicide.
Love of Africa, honoring our ancestors, and embracing our own African worldview and values is essential to our liberation. We are not European and do not seek to become honorary Europeans. We are African people seeking to rebuild and maintain African culture within a European-dominated society.
When we overcome self-hate we unite. When we unite we become more powerful than any adversary placed before us.
BLACK UNITY & PRIDE
Become a part of our Nu Kemet Walk of Fame with your BAF donor brick! Donor bricks will line the sides of the paved portion of our Nile Trail at our Nu Kemet Retreat.
4x8 Donor Brick - $150
4x8 Souvenir Duplicate Brick (mailed to you) - $75
8x8 Donor Brick - $300
8x8 Souvenir Duplicate Brick (mailed to you) - $150
PEOPLE OVER PROFITS
Black Americans have been subject to the leadership of others since their arrival in America. Black people are limited in what we can achieve when under the direction of, or imitating others. No one knows what is best for Black people more than Black people themselves. Only Black people can fully ascertain the heights of their own potential.
The BAF is committed to developing a new generation of Black leaders accountable to the Black community. This new leadership will not be confined to thinking inside an invisible box, but will see possibilities where there once was hopelessness. As this new leadership emerges it will foster a new Black Renaissance that will once again shine the light on Black brilliance.
BLACK LEADERSHIP
"Those who work in society deserve a higher share of what their labor produces. This is not revolutionary; this is what is fair."
The BAF will maintain a progressive living wage, to ensure that all members of our community earn an honest pay for honest work. In addition, every business that receives a small business loan, grant or subsidy from the BAF will be required to uphold the current BAF's minimum wage.
Furthermore, all of the BAF's salaried positions will be at or above current market rates and offer very generous fringe benefits.
A LIVABLE MINIMUM WAGE
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
10 million members
+ 5 hours a year community service
50 million hours of community service
Performing community service builds character and is part of being a good citizen. Every member of the Black Achievement Fund is required to complete a minimum of 5 hours of community service a year. This amounts to 50 million hours of community service each year to support Black communities!
Members can provide community service to BAF or within their local community. Service can come in any form, from cleaning up a vacant lot, planting trees and flowers, or helping someone write a resume. Members also have the opportunity to design their own community service project.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We only have one planet. For hundreds of thousands of years it has sustained us. The industrialization of the world has caused untold harm to our planet. We must act responsibly and make the protection of our planet a priority in everything we do. The BAF specifically will:
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Green construction for all residential and commercial real estate developments
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All-electric corporate vehicles
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Exclusively organic and sustainable farming practices
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Clean factories and manufacturing plants and processes
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Installation of public water fountains to curb plastic bottle waste and to save members' money
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Minimal packaging on BAF products to reduce waste and focus more money on the quality of the product instead of the packaging
Purchase and operation of community recycling plants where none exists
RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Black people all over the world suffer from racism and underdevelopment. The African diaspora represents a nation without borders.
The BAF will implement a meaningful International Aid program that seeks a true partnership with developing African and independent Black nations to provide sustainable solutions to serious problems. The strategic focus of our efforts will be:
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Direct aid for Disasters & Emergencies
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Foreign investment focused on infrastructure development
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Information sharing and cultural learning through student exchange programs
INTERNATIONAL AID & SOLIDARITY
Our ancestors, the African people who built the civilization of ancient Kemet/Egypt, set the highest standard of excellence the world has ever seen. They developed spirituality, pioneered virtually every field of study, and created wonders of the world that still stand today, undaunted by time. They were also the wealthiest people in the world. This is our legacy - not slavery.
The BAF is inspired by this epoch of Black African history. We are here to restore this standard of excellence. We are here to unlock the genius within us by channelling the spirit of our ancestors through our movement.
We will reward excellence in all endeavors and make famous those who achieve it.
BLACK EXCELLENCE
"Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated."
– Coretta Scott King
At its core, the Black Achievement Fund is a humanitarian organization. The Love of our fellow human beings is not just flowery rhetoric, it is the operating principle of the Black Achievement Fund. The Black Achievement Fund embraces and will work with all people of good will to advance mutual interests.
Furthermore, BAF membership is open to anyone who believes in our mission and Guiding Principles regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation or national origin.
UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
1. Black Unity & Pride
2. Collective Economics
3. Black Leadership
4. People Over Profits
5. Community Service
6. A Livable Minimum Wage
7. International Aid & Solidarity
8. Respect for the Environment
9. Universal Brotherhood
10. Black Excellence
