Project Ujima Inc

07/18/2026

What happens when community and future officers spend the day listening to one another?

Yesterday, 30 Akron Police Academy cadets sat in Circle with community leaders, activists, parents, coaches, youth, and residents for the Akron Reverse Ride Along.

We had one goal: to create a space where every participant had the opportunity to speak their truth and not assume the truth for anyone else.

Throughout the day, stories were shared. Perspectives were heard. Relationships were built. The conversations were structured with intention, creating space for connection, empathy, and understanding. We didn’t gather to persuade one another, we gathered to better understand one another.

To the Akron community, thank you for showing up with honesty, courage, and a deep commitment to envisioning a better Akron. Your dedication, both in word and deed, made this experience meaningful.

A special thank you to Sgt. S***a, Deputy Chief Miller, Chief Harding, and Mayor Malik for believing in this vision and supporting the Reverse Ride Along.

This idea was born from the community, and it was inspiring to see that vision become reality through partnership.

Thank you to LaCole, Breakfast in Bed for providing an outstanding meal. The smiles, compliments, and full plates said it all!

This wasn’t the end of a conversation—it was the beginning of stronger relationships.

We’re already talking about next year.

07/06/2026

The events that unfolded in downtown Akron over the Fourth of July weekend, which resulted in the arrest of several young people, have left many in our community with questions, concerns, and a renewed sense of urgency. Whether you are a parent, educator, youth advocate, faith leader, law enforcement officer, or simply someone who cares about our city, one thing is clear:

We all have more collective work to do.

Reducing youth violence requires both upstream and downstream approaches. We must respond to immediate crises while also investing in the relationships, opportunities, and systems that prevent violence before it begins. Prevention and intervention are not competing strategies; they are complementary ones.

That is why Project Ujima, in partnership with the Akron Police Department and the City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office invites you to participate in the Akron Reverse Ride Along on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Email from Project Ujima, Inc. You don't want to miss this.   Akron, we must continue our work!     Join the Conversation. The events that unfolded in downtown Akron over the Fourth of July weekend, w

06/30/2026

We're inviting community members, youth, coaches, advocates, and leaders to participate in this unique experience that brings together the 2026 Akron Police Academy graduating cadets and the communities they will serve.

Throughout the day, cadets will engage in meaningful conversations with community members, leaders, activists, and youth to build trust, deepen understanding, and strengthen relationships.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share it on your social media, email lists, and newsletters, and with anyone who may be interested.

Please encourage everyone to register individually using the Eventbrite link. Registration is required for all participants, including adults, youth, and coaches.

Thank you for partnering with us to build stronger relationships between our community and future officers.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992439891350?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/23/2026

Black mothers deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for—every step of the way.

That’s why we’re coming together for Black Maternal Health Week 2026—to center their voices, their experiences, and their well-being.

This week is more than a series of events—it’s a call to show up, learn, support, and act.

At Queens Village, we are creating spaces for healing, education, and connection. From sacred gatherings for mothers, to powerful film conversations, to resources that support families—this week was designed with us, for us.

✨ We invite you to join us:
• Fathers, mothers, and families
• Healthcare providers, birth workers
• Community members who care

Because when we support Black mothers, we strengthen our entire community.

📅 Check out the flyers for event details
🎟️ Register using the links or QR codes provided
www.projectujima-inc.org/queensvillageakron

Let’s come together to listen, uplift, and move this work forward—together. 🤎

03/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Invited to Observe Black Maternal Health Week: Rooted in Justice and Joy

April 11–17 | Advancing Community-Led Solutions to Improve Outcomes for Black Mothers and Babies

Akron, OH — Community leaders, organizations, healthcare providers, and residents are invited to participate in Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), April 11–17, 2026, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness, mobilizing action, and advancing solutions to address the maternal health crisis impacting Black mothers and birthing people.

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Justice and Joy,” centers the power of community-led solutions, reproductive justice, and culturally grounded care as essential pathways toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

Black Maternal Health Week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to amplify the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of Black mothers while advocating for equitable systems of care nationwide.
Locally, the urgency of this work remains clear. Black infants continue to die at disproportionately higher rates than white infants, reflecting long-standing inequities in healthcare access, social conditions, and systemic barriers that affect families before, during, and after birth. In Summit County, the 2024 preliminary Black infant mortality rate was 19.5, compared to 5.7 among white infants — a disparity that calls for collective community action and sustained investment in community-led solutions.

Black Maternal Health Week creates space not only to acknowledge these realities, but also to uplift healing, connection, and hope.

A Week Rooted in Community, Healing, and Action
Throughout the week, community members and organizations are encouraged to participate in a series of gatherings designed to educate, empower, and celebrate families:
• Sacred Space for Fathers
A dedicated gathering uplifting fathers and father figures, recognizing their vital role in maternal wellness, family stability, and healthy birth outcomes.
• Community Film Viewing & Fireside Chat
A shared viewing of a transformative film followed by meaningful dialogue exploring birth equity, advocacy, and community healing.
• Provider Viewing & Conversation
A learning and reflection space for healthcare professionals and service providers focused on strengthening culturally responsive and equitable care practices.
• Community Outreach Day
Direct engagement connecting families with resources, education, and supportive services across the community.
• Mama’s Blessing Celebration (Closing Event)
The week will conclude with a Mama’s Blessing — an intentional communal celebration honoring Black expecting mothers through pampering, affirmations, gifts, and collective support as they prepare for birth.

A full list of events, locations, and registration details will be announced soon.

Call to Action: Join the Movement
Black Maternal Health Week is a shared responsibility and an opportunity for the entire community to take part in advancing healthier futures for mothers and babies.

Community members are encouraged to:
• Attend and participate in scheduled events
• Share information and raise awareness
• Support Black mothers and birthing families
• Partner in advancing reproductive justice and birth equity

Organizations, healthcare institutions, faith communities, and local businesses are also invited to partner and sponsor this important initiative. Sponsorship opportunities directly support community programming, outreach efforts, and resources provided to families during Black Maternal Health Week.

Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities
We welcome collaborators committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes and investing in community-centered solutions.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or partnership involvement, please contact:

Contact Person: LaKesh Duke
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 330-529-5672
Website:

Ujima (“oo-JEE-mah”): “To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.”

03/09/2026

We’re honored to share some exciting news!

Project Ujima has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Summit County Opioid Healing Fund through the Akron Community Foundation in support of our project, “Voices of Recovery: Peace Circles for Healing from Opioid Harm.”

This investment affirms something we believe deeply: healing happens in community. Through Peace Circles, individuals and families impacted by opioid harm will have space to be heard, supported, and connected as they move toward healing.

These circles create room for truth, compassion, and restoration—because every voice matters and every story carries the potential to help someone else find their way forward.

We are deeply grateful to the Akron Community Foundation and the Summit County Opioid Healing Fund for recognizing the power of community-led healing.

We look forward to partnering with organizations in this field and will connect with you soon.

The work continues. The circles continue. The healing continues.

01/23/2026

Have you registered?

Click the link to register and ensure your voice is heard! https://www.unifyakron.org/events/community-circle-on-housing-2

01/02/2026

With heavy hearts, the Project Ujima family acknowledges the transition of our former board member, Christian Bates. We are deeply grateful for the time, wisdom, and commitment he poured into this work and into our community. His service helped shape the foundation we continue to build upon today.

We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all who were impacted by his life. May you find comfort in the memories you shared, strength in one another, and peace in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lives he touched.

We hold you in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.

— Project Ujima

12/17/2025

We are hosting the 3rd night of Kwanzaa! We hope to see you and your family at this city-wide celebration!

We're also honoring 4 community leaders and organizations with the 2025 Crystal L. Jones Collective Work and Responsibility Award. Their commitment to uplifting our community and exemplifying principles of Ujima truly stands out, and we are excited to recognize their contributions.

Congratulations to Deputy Chief, Mike Miller, Dr. David James, Ebony & Kwa Hill, & Akron Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

08/07/2025

We ended our time with our Summer youth! They learned all about the world of nonprofit, visited some community agencies, attended VIP meetings for Youth Violence, designed a mental health event for youth and completed Peace Circe training.

It’s safe to say we made an impression on the youth we worked with this year! Jobs for Ohio's Graduates,Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro