BAOBAB: A MOVEMENT NOT A MOMENT
Let’s plant seeds of change to radically transform the funding world
Our journey and intention
Baobab Foundation was created out of the Black struggle and resilience in the UK, which was catalysed in 2020 by a series of traumatic events, including the murder of George Floyd. Collectively we have mobilised resources from UK trusts, foundations and private businesses to challenge and heal our ongoing experiences of underfunding, marginalisation and anti-blackness. We want to celebrate our power, creativity, value, energy and joy.
Our intention is to significantly scale resourcing to Black and Global Majority communities in the UK, contributing to wealth redistribution, equitable access, solidarity and sustainability.
We centre disability justice so that no one is left behind on the journey to freedom, justice and unity.
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2020?
2020 felt like the year the world woke up to the realities faced by Black people every day. From the murder of George Floyd to black-led organisations being hit the hardest by lockdown measures and the disproportionate deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The injustices that emerged that year are a culmination of generations of harm and historical oppression.
We saw the global response by movements like Black Lives Matter and other anti-racist demonstrations around the world calling for action…
...WE ARE THAT ACTION
The birth of Baobab
The change we needed
Baobab is not only an antidote to our experiences of underfunding, marginalisation and anti-blackness. It is part of our commitment to equity, liberation and social justice.
Baobab was born out of generations of anger, frustration, and struggle. But it’s given birth to hope, determination, and optimism.
We are on the shoulders of our ancestors and their legacies of strength, resilience, and courage.
And we give thanks to all the work of other racial and disability justice movements who have helped shape us. We’re radically changing the narrative collectively. This is Ubuntu.
Michelle Daley,
Baobab Committee Member
“Disability Justice!”
“We must disrupt this system of exclusion and the segregated narrative where we have the absentees and apartheid of Black Disabled people in all areas of live”
Who are our members?
We are a unique network of 400+ members, radical friends and solidarity partners who connect in words, thought and action with the intention to achieve lasting systems change.
Our members are Black African/Caribbean heritage and Global Majority people in all our intersectional beauty. From grassroots movements, un-constituted groups, community leaders, activists, creatives, volunteers, social enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Our radical friends and solidarity partners form part of our wider support network and actively support and resource Baobab.
Collectively we are working to dismantle systemic racism and intersectional injustice.
What’s in a name?
Together, we are as strong as Africa’s most resilient tree...
Just like the Baobab tree, our roots have been planted by our ancestors.
We must succeed for future generations.
The Baobab story so far
“Early 2020
Increased frustrations and anger with a funding ecosystem that doesn’t understand the needs of those on the ground led to demonstrations, protests and campaigns.”
“Jan 2021
The birth of Baobab... the seed was planted by Jake Ferguson gathering people from Black and other Global Majority communities to form a Steering Group (which included David Weaver, Julie Hutchinson, Marai Larasi, Derek Bardowell, Jeremy Crook, Nusrat Faizullah, Sado Jirde, Viv Ahmun, Jenny Oppenheimer, Dilhani Wijeyesekera, Joe Ferns and Jermain Jackman).
Almost immediately, drawing on an intersectional and Black feminist approach, 30+ members from local organisations and communities signed up, across the UK.”
“March - June 2021
We analysed key racial inequality issues in the UK and funding priorities for Black people and marginalised communities through our Digging Deeper Report, led by Dilahni Wijeyesekera.
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“July 2021
The member workshops, community conversations and with the support of Purpose Union and Baobab’s social justice team, we gathered for the Baobab Summit. This set the path and laid the foundations for our way forward.
Our plan and path were then embodied by our members following four months of gathering stories and information.”
“Sept 2021
Through engagement and connecting with people led by Yoanna Chikezie and Jermain Jackman, Baobab’s membership grew stronger with more than 300+ members across the UK shaping our agenda.”
“Nov 2021 - Feb 2022
Baobab was brought to life through new brand visuals and the appointment of a new Steering Group who are representative of the membership. This included Baljit Banga, Chupa Phiri, Deepak Naik, Julie Hutchinson, Khaleda Noon, Marai Larasi, Michelle Daley, Vanessa Thomas, and Zakiya Bishton.”
“Feb 2022 - May 2022
Baobab deepened its understanding of Disability Justice, prioritising people of African/Caribbean heritage and beginning a journey of what decolonisation means for Baobab.
Baobab connected and collaborated in work, reports, research, roundtables and events with Ubele Initiative, Ten Years Time, and Black Funders Network, amongst many others.
Our Fund design was shaped 100% by Black and Global Majority communities through community dialogues, design sprints and workshops in Belfast, Coventry, Bradford/Leeds, Margate, Cardiff, Bristol, London, Manchester, Swansea and others.
Intersectionality, Disability Justice and the experiences of our communities shaped the funding process and criteria to centre the most marginalised identities in society. ”
“June 2022 - Aug 2022
Baobab is legally formed as a dual structure Community Benefit Society (Bencom) under the names By and For Foundation and By and For Community Funding. By and For Community Funding is a charitable Community Benefit Society and is recognised as charitable by law.
We intentionally created this legal form to consciously move away from traditional charity models.
Baobab adopts Bencom governance, and the Steering Group becomes Committee Members.
Baobab dives deeper into its consciousness of decolonisation to achieve Freedom, Justice and Unity for all.
Because we must...
“Practise the world we want to live in” - Marai Larasi”
“Sept 2022 - Beyond
Baobab prepares to launch the first Collective Fund, resourcing Black and Global Majority communities. ”
But that’s just the beginning...
You can't create systemic change through resourcing grassroots organisations alone. We believe in a fundamental transformation of the funding ecosystem.
The system has failed us for decades - let’s work together to change it.
We’re a movement, not a moment.
