It’s that time of year when everyone is busy with their new year resolutions. For the next few weeks, people will make vows, create lists and put together vision boards to help manifest their goals.

If you want to be more involved in your beautiful Black community this year, here are five things you can do to help:

1. Post, Like And Share Positive Images of Black People

Positive representation of Black people is a must-have. Society’s anti-Black bias affects the minds of Black people, too. It’s important that we counter that bias with positive images of Black people. Children and adults need to see people that look like them doing well in regular, everyday life.

2. Share Your Knowledge

The more you know, the more you’ll grow. If you have a skillset or talent that others can benefit from, teach it. There are many ways to facilitate teaching. You can hold a physical class at your local church or community center, build a website, start a blog, or even have Facebook Live courses.

3. Organize A Think Tank

Politicians and government will not solve every problem our communities face. Yes, voting is important, but so much can be accomplished between election cycles. We can change, develop and mature our own neighborhoods. Decide what issues you want to address. Use social media, email, flyers or bulletin boards to get the word out. Then, come together and discuss ways to correct those issues affecting our communities.

4. Establish A Crowdfund

Think outside the box. Some changes in our neighborhoods will require money and crowdfunding allows everyone in your community to contribute to the project. Gone are the days when you must use a bank to finance projects. You can also use crowdfunding to purchase abandoned buildings and vacant lots within your neighborhood.

5. Buy Black

If we don’t build, we’ll be controlled by those who do. Your dollars have power! The profits of black businesses support the black community in many ways. They create opportunity for other black people, reduce unemployment and create leverage as well as influence your community.

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