Ujima Collective Business Training Program
The Ujima Collective offers training for established companies and startups interested in gaining the skills needed to support a growing team through employment opportunities.
The collective also supports entrepreneurs from communities of color by teaching inclusive business practices and using the Swahili/Navajo/Keres languages to emphasize shared values. Participants create their own Racial Equity Action Plans for their small businesses and learn how working together through partnerships helps everyone succeed.
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.
Mission
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.
Meaning of Ujima
Inspired by the third tenet of Kwanza, “Ujima” means “collective work and responsibility.”
Prospective Members
- Indigenous/ Native or Black/African Owned Company
- Are open to hiring ESL speakers from refugee communities
- Interested in learning a new language
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 one year OR Business owner has been an Albuquerque resident for at least one year at any time prior to the time of training
The Ujima Collective offers training for established companies and startups interested in gaining the skills needed to support a growing team through employment opportunities.
- Length: 10 months, six hours per week
- Mode: In person only
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 (6 months)
- Language Instruction Swahili/ Keres/ Navajo
- Certificate of Language Course
- Membership to OBCE Businesses Advisory Network
- CABQ Department Networking Fair
For more information, contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at 505-768-3491.