The Dellums Center for Activism + Innovation
In 1967 at UC Berkeley's Sproul Hall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about his stance against the Vietnam War, which had been received with rebuke. People wanted Dr. King to "stay in his lane, " that of civil rights. Dr. King told us that he couldn't segregate his moral concerns.
He also said that there were two kinds of leaders--those who wait until consensus is formed and then rush to the front of the pack to "lead" it, and those who have the audacity to form and mold opinions, even if they're unpopular.
That day, Ron's life was forever shaped by Dr. King's speech. He went on to serve as a courageous Thought leader who advanced new notions of justice that changed the world.
Ron's visionary leadership has been responsible for watershed social justice outcomes such as the federal divestment of South Africa's apartheid regime, end to dangerous nuclear weaponry, creation of the Global AIDS Fund and PEPFAR programs to stem the HIV/AIDS pandemic, end to genocide in Bosnia, policy solutions to structural discrimination against Boys and Men of Color, and consistently serving as the radical and effective activist in the halls of Congress.
The Dellums Center for Activism & Innovation Will Nurture Disrupters for Social Justice By:
Social justice elders to engage in knowledge transfer to & mentoring of next generations. Young people will be better prepared to lead future local and global challenges.
Incubation support for young people with social change ideas including networking, business plan, new financing, physical space, and pilot program support.
Addressing both social segregation and the nonprofit displacement crisis, the Center will provide below market and community event space for diverse groups across social justice movements.
The Center will connect people with the global history of activism & innovation, engage in knowledge exchange and skills building. We seek to advance positive self-identity as compassionate and just global citizens. We will start the global journey through Bay Area and South African networks honed through the anti-apartheid movement.
Roadmap to Success
With people power and determination, we will launch the Dellums Center for Activism & Innovation through:
Comprised of representatives from local/ national youth organizations working on racial, economic, environmental justice and human rights, along with community youth.
Including a community vision plan, Center occupants and programming, market analysis, potential sites, potential capital financing, and sustainability plan.
To create a virtual platform for the Dellums Center for Activism & Innovation's new programming pending the creation of a physical center.
That will set the stage for future ownership involving community governance and shared ownership structures.