Ujima Collective Application

Inspired by the third tenet of Kwanza, “Ujima” by definition means “collective work and responsibility,” this guiding principle for the 2024-25 Office of Black Community Engagement’s (OBCE) entrepreneurial initiative. The Ujima Collective targets Black/African American and Native/Indigenous owned companies with a mission to incorporate Anti-Racist practices, and a culturally inclusive workplace for all team members.
We will introduce Swahili/Navajo/Keres languages as a component of education through cultural practices within businesses development, these inclusive practices will influence the larger Albuquerque business community. With an emphasis on hiring community members within the immigrant and refugee community we aim to foster an environment in which the traditions of collective work and responsibility lift and elevate Indigenous and African/Black American Communities. We strongly believe that the racial wealth gap must be closed through support to new and expanding companies within the Global Community of Albuquerque.
· Are You an Indigenous/ Native or Black/African Owned Company?
· Do you have an interest in hiring ESL speakers from refugee communities?
· Are you interested in learning a new language?
The Ujima Collective offers training for established companies and start-up’s interested in gaining the skills needed to support a growing team through employment opportunities. Application deadline is September 13th 2024 5:00 pm. Training begins Tuesday October 8th 2024. Classes are held every Tuesday & Wednesday Night 4:30 to 7:00pm October 9th through December 11th 2024. Thereafter, participants will commit to Bi-Weekly 45 min meetings with an assigned mentor and 1 Monthly Ujima Collective Meeting starting January 2025 through June 2025 (6 months.)
All questions must be answered. Selected Applicants will be notified no later than Wednesday September 18th. The committee will select 18 participants equally from the Indigenous and Black Community. Full in person program participation is required.
Eligibility Requirements:
Participating Employers must be:
Registered as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity in NM.
Includes Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships (LP or LLP), LLC, Corporations and Non-profits
If registered as a “foreign” entity, the primary place of business must be in Albuquerque
Headquartered within the Albuquerque city limits. (must be incorporated Albuquerque
Physical address (not PO Box) for entity’s principal place of business as defined through SDAT
Business has been located in Albuquerque for 1 year OR Business owner has been an Albuquerque resident for at least 1 year at any time prior to the time of training
Upon successful completion of Ujima Graduates will receive:
· Graduation Ceremony
· 5k Grant to go towards their small business
· Mentorship for 1 year
· CABQ Business Registration (1) Year
· 1 Full Year Membership to NM Black Chamber Includes customized website
· Certificate of Completion
· 60 Second Recorded Promotional Video
· Professional Headshot (2)
· 1:1 Business Development Consultations
· Monthly Group Training Session Starting January 2025 (6 months)
· Language Instruction Swahili/ Keres/ Navajo
· Certificate of Language Course
· Membership to OBCE Businesses Advisory Network
· CABQ Department Networking Fair

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1. What’s the name of your company? (Required.)

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2. What is your business address? (Required.)

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3. Contact: Phone number, Email Address, and Website. (Required.)

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4. What year did you open? (Required.)

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5. What are your social media handles? Please include links to Youtube, Instagram, Facebook. (Required.)

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6. Is your company woman owned?

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7. How do you racially identify? (Required.)

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8. What is your age? (Required.)

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9. Names of your owners/founders? (Required.)

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10. How many employees do you have (outsider of owners)? (Required.)

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11. What is the Mission of your company? (Required.)

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12. Have you ever spent time in a jail, prison, or juvenile detention center? (Required.)

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13. Not counting minor traffic violations, have you ever been arrested and booked for breaking the law? Being “booked” means that you were taken into custody and processed by the police or by someone connected with the courts, even if you were then released. (Required.)

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14. Were you on parole, supervised release, or other conditional release from prison at any time during the past 12 months? (Required.)

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15. On a scale of 1-10 how do you feel in relationship to financial literacy and competency? (1 = Least 10= Most)

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16. How long have you been in business?

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17. What do you feel has been your biggest barrier to capital?

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18. What is your annual Gross Profit?

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19. What is your annual Net Profit?

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20. Do you own or lease your business location?

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21. Are you a homebased company or brick and mortar?

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22. Are you a homeowner?

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23. What is the significance of homeownership to your company?

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24. Has your company received a grant in the past? If so through what organization? What did the award amount include?

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25. What are your goals for expansion over the next 2 years?

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26. What demographic does your company primarily hire?

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27. Do you typically hire refugees?

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28. Is language a barrier to employment within your company?

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29. How many English Second Language (ESL) employees currently work for your company?

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30. How many years do your employee’s typical stay?

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31. What is the hourly compensation your employees receive?

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32. How much do you feel your employees should be compensated annually to thrive?

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33. How important is developing a strong team to your company?

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34. Do you offer educational opportunities to your team?

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35. Are you open to accepting an intern?

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36. Why do you feel it’s important to learn Swahili or Keres languages?

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37. How would you potentially use $5,000 to support hiring within your company?

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38. Are you available for full cohort participation Tuesday & Wednesday, 4-7pm?

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39. Will you need child care in order to participate in this program?

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40. Would you participate in carpooling if a cohort member needs assistance with transportation? If yes, what area of the city will you support carpooling in?

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41. Do you currently have a mentor? If yes, please tell us about the role they have played within your company development.

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42. What does Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) mean to your company?

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43. Does your company currently have a racial equity action plan?

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44. Is your company interested in franchising?

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45. Have you ever had to de-escalate a racially charged incident within the workplace? If yes, what steps did you take to resolve the issue?

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46. What is your greatest strength? What is your area of weakness?

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47. How will this opportunity help your company become more sustainable?

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48. How will this opportunity help your company become more sustainable?

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49. What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?

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50. Forms To Attach After Selection:

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51. Has your company registered with the following agencies? Select all that apply

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52. What partner organizations have you utilized to support developing your company?

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53. What system do you use to track your profit/loss statements?

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