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Take a look at upcoming events and opportunities for vendors, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world.
Equity Center
Equity Center Coming Soon !
Join us for the Grand Opening ceremony
February 1st, 2025 at 3:00pm
The Alaska Black Caucus (ABC) has been working with community partners since 2021 to establish the Equity Center in downtown Anchorage. The Equity Center will serve Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Alaskans in Anchorage through a commercial kitchen, gathering space, below-market-rate office spaces, co-working, partner leased space, and associated programming.
It is a permanent home for us where we can freely breathe. It is a place to figure out how we can change conditions for BIPOC communities. It is a place where we will engage with each other and with community leaders and gatekeepers; where there are many seats around the table to build trust and relationships, and back them up with advocacy and action. It is a place for young people, small business owners, and any community member looking to share or learn a new skill or improve their health and well-being.
Celeste Hodge Growden, ABC President
Community Support for the Equity Center
In 2022, the Alaska Black Caucus raised funds to purchase a building and complete initial design and renovations. In 2023, the Rasmuson Foundation supported development of a business plan for the center, ABC raised most of the funds needed to complete renovations and secured a contractor. This month, work will begin on the final phase of renovations, with a planned opening date of August 2024.
We are extremely grateful to our funders and partners who have helped us raise nearly $3M to date. We are in the final stretch and need to raise $185,000 to close the gap and complete the project. The Equity Center will be an asset to downtown Anchorage and to the whole community.
Please contribute to our campaign. All donors will be recognized at our annual Chamber Juneteenth celebration and on a permanent display in the center. We welcome any level of support and look forward to partnering with you to make the Equity Center a reality for Anchorage.
Media
Preliminary Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
We were fortunate to have numerous dignitaries join us in solidarity during the preliminary ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Equity Center, sharing their thoughts and support. Among those in attendance were Alaska State Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson; Assembly Chair Christopher Constant; Assembly members Karen Bronga, George Martinez, Anna Brawley, and former Assemblyman John Weddleton; Mayor Suzanne LaFrance; Police Chief Sean Case; Carl Jacobs, Vice President of the Anchorage School Board; and Vice Chancellor of UAA, Deanne Woodard.
Additionally, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski took the time to stop by and offer her congratulations, and we were pleasantly surprised by a guest appearance from former Senator Mark Begich.
Committee Updates
Letter from the President and CEO, Celeste Hodge Growden
Yes, we’ve reestablished the premier non-partisan organization that came into existence back in the 1970’s and had a three decade run. The purpose, then as it is now, of the Alaska Black Caucus (ABC) is to assert the Constitutional Rights of African Americans. We will achieve this by…
Community Partner
Actively involving the Caucus in the decision making processes in the community as a contributing partner with decision-makers and representative bodies affecting the lives and livelihoods of African Americans
Information Provider
Making available accurate and
timely information on relevant
issues and areas of concern
to POCs and their progressive supporters.
Advancement Supporter
Supporting and working in areas which help to advance the educational, cultural, political, and economic well-being of the African American community.
Equity Champion
Creating awareness that the
struggle to achieve total equality
has not yet been achieved.
Neighborhood Connector
Acting as a liaison and coordinating entity for the various POC interests within the community and State.
Accountability Leader
Emphasizing the ever-increasing need for African Americans and POCs to make renewed attempts toward attaining these goals.
Celeste Hodge Growden
Alaska Black Caucus President/CEO
