The BLK South Community Development Initiative is a multifaceted effort to strengthen community connection, cultural preservation, and neighborhood revitalization throughout Durham, NC. Through a series of creative and community-centered projects, BLK South is cultivating spaces for education, storytelling, celebration, and economic empowerment rooted in the traditions and future of historically Black communities in the South. Led by Erin and Kendall Dooley, BLK South is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the vibrancy, sustainability, and well-being of underserved communities through arts, culture, food justice, and community development. Their work bridges generations by creating opportunities for collective healing, cultural remembrance, and community ownership through storytelling, land stewardship, and creative expression.
The Blue Ridge Collaborative is proud to partner with BLK South to support the organization’s growing portfolio of community development and creative initiatives.
We are seeking to raise $211,000 to support BLK South’s ongoing initiatives, including the development of a community garden and educational curriculum focused on nutrition and food systems for local youth; the production of community-centered cultural events such as the Summer Block Party and Día de los Muertos celebration; and audio, video, and post-production support for a multi-city podcast series highlighting stories from communities across the South.
In addition, funds will support donor outreach, crowdfunding campaigns, grant development, social media strategy, email marketing, public relations, and documentary storytelling efforts that amplify BLK South’s mission and deepen community engagement.
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