"Make it Monday" Celebrates Juneteenth!

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. As ABC President Celeste Hodge Growden describes, “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.”

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 $300,000 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 at paypal.com/ncp/payment/AQMR7PFTV4T3E.

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. 

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