SMC student’s “Unapologetically Black” back-to-school event garners national recognition
Justin Ellis-Brooks raised $12,400 through his grassroots organization, Umoja Now, for a back-to-school mutual aid event in Inglewood on Aug. 10 to provide direct relief to the Black community in a historically marginalized city.
Ellis-Brooks, a Santa Monica College (SMC) student, is the founder of Umoja Now (Umoja), a grassroots organization formerly known as Books with Books. Umoja is the Swahili word for unity. The organization provides mutual aid and literature, drawing inspiration from the Black Panther Party (BPP) and the Black Collegians Program Umoja Community.
Umoja’s first event in March fed dozens of people and provided 100 hygiene kits to homeless individuals at MacArthur Park, using $1,200. In August, crowdfunded efforts raised $12,400 to provide 500 backpacks with supplies, personal hair services and meals for numerous families.
U.S. lawmakers, at all levels of government, have historically marginalized, disenfranchised and systemically oppressed Black people. Unjust representation in government, textbooks and the legal system, combined with a lack of decent housing, healthcare and access to social mobility, led to the creation of the BPP in 1966, according to the BPP’s Ten Point Program.
Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale created the Ten Point Program, striving for Black liberation, but all were welcomed—a belief Umoja abides by. “It’s like the Panthers, but with the misogyny turned down,” said Ellis-Brooks, in a prior interview.
“Black To School- Inglewood: Resourcing Black Youth for the Road Ahead” is Umoja’s third mutual aid event. After two successful events earlier this year, Umoja gained recognition and support from Deante Kyle, host of the popular Atlanta-based “Grits and Eggs” podcast.
According to Ellis-Brooks, Kyle promoted the event on his show and set a $10,000 fundraising goal, believing it would be “easily” achievable. He said he was worried, but put his “fear to the side” and trusted Kyle– they raised $12,400 in two months. A feat Ellis-Brooks proudly shared online and in person, saying, “No corporate sponsors, just the strength of the people.”
Hundreds of people nationwide contributed through Umoja’s PayPal. Locals offered cash, talents and time. Through social media, Umoja found a group of volunteers comprising five braiders, two barbers and dozens of people with a free Sunday afternoon.
People from across Los Angeles County stood in line outside Event Space Inglewood to enter the “Black To School” event, where they received a free backpack, school supplies, haircare, and a loaded plate of soul food contributed by Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen.
Umoja also provided arts and crafts, a sound bowl session and a brief presentation on financial literacy and Black Wall Street.
According to Ellis-Brooks, he organized the event with the Black community in mind. “The event, first and foremost, is a representation of who I am, and there is an element of no remorse when it comes to providing for my people, for Black Americans, for somebody in need,” Ellis-Brooks said.
And many felt that care, including Jessica Hunter, CEO of Journee’s Roses. Hunter, who attended the event for her sister-in-law, but stayed because of the environment, said, “When you’re getting help from people that look like you, you feel more welcomed, more comfortable.”
Hunter then said, “It’s very pro-Black and unapologetically Black. Because this is how we do, this is how we show up, and we are proud of it.”
Parents laughed and smiled fondly as their children painted. Young Black boys jumped off the barber’s chair and ran towards their father to show off their new haircut. People in the room laughed, sang, and appeared happy—except for the occasional tender-headed child getting their hair braided.
People exited the event with satisfied expressions, artwork in hand and bellies full of ribs, greens, and yams, asking how they could donate or get involved.
Aliyah Hudspeth, a mother experiencing financial hardship after having surgery, said, “I faced hard times this year and wasn’t able to give my son $300 worth of school stuff, so I brought him here. The fact that there’s so many coming together and wanting to help, I want to do the same thing. But I don’t have the funds. I don’t have a lot to give, but that’s where my heart is.”
Hudspeth then learned about the differences between mutual aid and charity and offered Ellis-Brooks help with the post-event cleanup.
Mutual aid is the practice of giving what you can, and only taking what you need for the enrichment of a community—it’s collective action.
The Panthers inspired through direct collective action, and some felt Umoja emulates that. “It’s very reminiscent of the Black Panther era, when our community would help each other,” said Stevenie Farmer, a braider who came from the Inland Empire to volunteer. “It takes a village, and there are places where we lack and just need someone to step in and help.”
“Black To School” is the compilation of three months’ worth of behind-the-scenes community-oriented volunteer work. According to Ellis-Brooks, Umoja isn’t possible without Erica Gunn, an SMC alumnus, and Jessica ‘Sirabi’ McIntyre, another SMC student.
Jaycob Beard, an SMC student, and Justin Thomas, an Army veteran from Chicago, sat in Ellis-Brooks’ cramped living room, surrounded by boxes loaded with school supplies, and packed 500 backpacks on Aug. 2. Then, they moved everything hours before the event.
Jalynn Spann, the lead braid coordinator, heard about the event and brought four other braiders. Josh Phelps, an activist who teaches Black fathers how to cook, bought and served chicken legs and ribs. Multiple small donations and volunteer efforts provided residents of Los Angeles County with resources.
For their work, four Umoja Now members – Ellis-Brooks, Kyle, Gunn, and McIntyre – received a certificate of recognition from the office of state Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, who represents the city of Inglewood. According to Ellis-Brooks, he plans to hold another event in the winter, possibly a toy drive; he doesn’t know yet— all he knows is that he needs some rest.