4th National Convening

May 23rd - 25th, 2014

Little Haiti Cultural Center - Miami, Florida
www.blackimmigration.net
RISING TOGETHER
BLACK IMMIGRATION NETWORK
Kinship Assembly: A Gathering for Action
Keep Up online! #BIN2014 #RISINGTOGETHER
PROGRAM CONTENTS
Thanks and Acknowledgments ..................................................... 1
Letter to Conference Attendees ................................................... 2
About the Black Immigration Network .............................................. 4
Kinship Assembly Schedule .............................................................. 5
Local Miami .................................................................................. 11
1
Thanks and Acknowledgments



Florida Host Committee Organizations: Florida Immigrant Coalition, Haitian
Women of Miami, Power U Center for Social Change, The Dream Defenders,
and Caribbean Bar Association.

Kinship Assembly Planning Committee: Tia Oso, Trina Jackson, Francesca
Menes, Krystina Francois, Denise Perry, Xia Xiang, Donald Anthonyson, Terence
Courtney and Amanda Jackson.

BIN Steering Committee Members: Donald Anthonyson, Amanda Jackson,
Trina Jackson, Nunu Kidane, Gerald Lenoir, Francesca Menes, Colette Pichon
Battle, Elandria Williams and Xia Xiang.

BAJI Staff:
Gerald Lenoir, Co-Director
Opal Tometi, Co-Director
Tia Oso, National Network Coordinator
Lloyd Lesperance, Policy Coordinator
Terence Courtney, Southeast Regional Organizer
Juwaher Yusuf, Program Associate

BAJI Board Members:
Thomas Assefa, Black Organizing for Dignity and Leadership
Aimee Castenell, Color of Change
Marybeth Onyeukwu, DACAmented Activist
Nunu Kidane, Priority Africa Network
Leonard McNeil, Professor at Contra Costra College
Pastor Kelvin Sauls, Board Chair, Holman United Methodist Church
Janis Rosheuvel, Vice Chair, United Methodist Women, Racial Justice Office
Reverend Phil Lawson, BAJI Co-Founder, Chair Emeritus
2
Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Welcome to the 4
th
National Convening of the Black Immigration Network (BIN).
Our Kinship Assembly in Miami, Florida comes at a time when the attacks on
immigrant rights and racial injustice are still powerful forces in US society. During
the five years of the Obama Administration, over two million undocumented
immigrants, over 95 percent of whom were brown and black people from Latin
America, have been expelled from the country, hundreds of thousand of them
without due process. Even the weak immigration reform bill passed by the
Senate in 2013 has been rejected by the Republican-ruled House of
Representatives and a climate of immigrant bashing prevails. The anti-immigrant
rhetoric of the white supremacist movement and Tea Party adherents has stifled
any rational debate about immigration reform. In addition, voting rights and
affirmative action have been seriously eroded by the US Supreme Court and by
the gerrymandering of congressional districts and the illegal purging of voter rolls
in Republican-controlled states, such as North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ohio
and Wisconsin.

Despite the poisonous atmosphere, the immigrant rights movement has won
notable reforms in the past two years. Dreamers pressed their case through
direct action, civil disobedience and grassroots lobbying and won a major
victoryDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)a program to allow
thousand of young undocumented immigrants to gain temporary legal status.
Judicial rulings, local ordinances and/or state legislation have significantly
blunted the impact of Secure Communities, the federal program that allows local
law enforcement to hold undocumented immigrant and turn them over to
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In places such as California,
Oregon and Philadelphia, ICEs authority has been severely eroded. In addition,
the Obama Administration, under pressure from the immigrant rights movement,
is currently reviewing its detention and deportation policies.
3
On the broader racial justice terrain, the fight back against the mass incarceration
of black and brown citizens and immigrants is gaining steam. Spurred by the
study of Michelle Alexanders searing analysis in her groundbreaking book, The
New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, the movement
to dismantle the prison-industrial complex is developing politically and growing
numerically. As a result of increased public attention, the Justice Department is
reviewing laws and policies with an eye toward reducing racial disparities and
unjust policing, prosecution and sentencing, especially as it relates to drug laws.
Nationally, the movement to pressure Congress to restore the voting rights gutted
by the Supreme Court is expanding.

The strategic militancy of undocumented Dreamers across the country, the Moral
Monday activists in North Carolina, the Dream Defenders in Florida and other
groups are inspiring individuals and communities to step up their resistance to
unjust laws and immoral economic exploitation. But the fight has only just begun.
The Black Immigration Network has the opportunity, indeed, the obligation to
build upon the current momentum and to contribute to building the movement for
racial equity, immigrant rights and economic justice.

Onward,
BIN Steering Committee Members
Donald Anthonyson, Amanda Jackson, Trina Jackson, Alethia Jones, Nunu
Kidane, Gerald Lenoir, Francesca Menes, Colette Pichon Battle, Opal Tometi,
Elandria Williams, and Xia Xiang.







4
About t he Bl ack Immi grat i on Net work
Black Immigration Network (BIN), a national kinship of nearly 30 Black-led
organizations that are connecting, training, and building towards policy and
cultural shifts for a racial justice and migrant rights agenda.

BIN is a vehicle for mutual education, appreciation and collaboration. Our
network furnishes an important space for gathering the African Diaspora for joint
strategizing, information sharing and work for the benefit of all of our
communities.
BIN also builds alliances with other organizations and networks in immigrant
communities and communities of color for mutual benefit.

The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) is the coordinating organization
for the Black Immigration Network. BAJI is a racial justice and migrant rights
organization, which engages in education, advocacy, and cross-cultural alliance
building in order to end racism, criminalization, and economic
disenfranchisement of African American and Black Immigrant communities.

BAJI's headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY with additional offices in Oakland, CA,
Atlanta, GA, and Phoenix, AZ.


What t he BIN Ki nshi p Bel i eves
We believe that the struggle for immigrant rights is one of the cutting edge
issues in the fight for racial justice and democracy in the United States today.

We believe that bringing a range of groups and individuals together to address
the issues of race, immigration, globalization and related issues can magnify the
impact of all of our groups in changing immigration policy and promoting racial
justice. We also believe that BIN can be instrumental in bringing the issues,
perspectives and leadership of various Black immigrant communities and
African Americans born in the United States to the broader immigrant rights,
racial justice and economic justice movements. BIN will help to build the
capacity of its members to meet the global challenges that face all of us and to
bring together a durable social movement that transcends the lines of race,
gender, religion, sexual identity and nationality.





5
BLACK IMMIGRATION NETWORK
Conference Agenda



FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014

Registration Begins
8:30 am 11:00 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks
11:00 am 12:00 pm Location: Theater
Tia Oso, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Amanda Jackson, BIN Steering
Committee, Francesca Menes, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Hashim Benford, Power
U Center for Social Change and Opal Tometi, Black Alliance for Just Immigration.

Getting to Know the BIN Kinship, Our Beloved Community
12:00 pm 1:30 pm Location: Theater
Session Facilitated by Elandria Williams, Highlander Center and Xia Xiang, BIN
Steering Committee.
This interactive session will serve as a grounding for both building relationships
and mapping of the state of black communities and immigration. Five key
questions will shape this session and lay the framework for the conference
moving forward. Where do we come from/who are our people? What are the
critical issues in our communities? What is the relationship between African
Americans, Black immigrants and refugees and what will it take to improve
those relationships? What is the organizing and policy landscape? What
connections or support are needed to move the work forward?

Lunch
1:30 pm 2:30pm Location: Lobby

African Diaspora Dialogues
2:30 pm 5:00 pm Location: Theater
Session Facilitated by Nunu Kidane, Priority Africa Network and Gerald Lenoir,
Black Alliance for Just Immigration.
The goal is to bring transformative change in mutual understanding between
African Americans and Black Immigrants on issues of race, culture and identity
in the contemporary US, through this transitional dialogue model.
www.africandiasporadialogues.net

Break
5:00 pm
6

BIN Kinship Reception
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Location: Lobby & Courtyard
Mix, mingle, and dine with the kinship and invited local leaders.

Global to Local Community Town Hall: Strengthening Connections for
Transnational Justice through Local Action
7:00 pm 8:30 pm Location: Theater
Moderators: Cheryl Mizell, Talk Show Host, "Community Voice," WEDR - 99 JAMZ
and Opal Tometi, Co-Director, Black Alliance for Just Immigration.
Panelists: Francesca Menes, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Gihan Perera, Florida New
Majority, Ejim Dike, US Human Rights Network, Aly Wane, Syracuse Peace Council,
Nunu Kidane, Priority Africa Network and Ninaj Raoul, Haitian Women for Haitian
Refugees.
The Town Hall meeting is an opportunity to share with conference participants
and with the broader community the current developments in and challenges for
the movements for immigrant rights, racial justice and human rights. The panel
presentations are divided into international, national and local issues.


SATURDAY MAY 24, 2014

Light Breakfast & Coffee
8:30 am 9:00 am Location: Lobby

Overview
9:00 am 9:30 am Location: Theater

BIN Talks
9:30 am 10:30 am
The BIN Talk Organizing Case Studies: Listen to short, informative snapshot
of successful and ongoing campaigns from around the country that will inspire,
challenge and educate you about the power of community organizing. Talk
sessions are 30 minutes each. (Choose 2 Talks to Attend)

TALK 1: Taking Over the Florida Capitol with Steven Pargett and Shamile
Louis, Dream Defenders (Location: Community Room)
TALK 2: Moral Mondays North Carolina with Ajamu Dillahunt, Black Workers
for Justice (Location: Computer Room)
TALK 3: City of Philadelphia Ends I.C.E. holds with Mia-lia Kiernan, 1Love
Movement (Location: Gallery)
TALK 4: Free Marissa Alexander with Sumayya Coleman, African
American/Black Women Cultural Alliance (Location: Arts & Crafts Room)

7
Analysis Workshops (Choose 1 to attend)
11:00am 12:30 am

Unearthing the Root Causes of Migration - Globalization, Race and
Economics Location: Computer Room
Nunu Kidane, Priority Africa Network, Gerald Lenoir, Black Alliance for Just
Immigration, and Janis Rosheuvel, United Methodist Women, Racial Justice.
Immigrants migrate for a number of reasons, particularly those related to the
impact of global economic policies on their place of origin and their daily lives.
This workshop will analyze this phenomenon from the perspective of migrations
by Black Immigrants to provide an understanding of why people move.
Participants will come away with an understanding of displacement and
exploitation of Black people in the United States and across the globe.

Mass Criminalization: Understanding The Mass Incarceration and
Immigration Detention Systems Location: Computer Room
Philip Agnew, Dream Defenders, Donald Anthonyson, Families for Freedom,
Kenneth Glasgow, The Ordinary People Society and Alix Nguefack, American
Friends Services Committee
Life itself is criminalized in various spheres for US and foreign born people of
African descent. This workshop will examine the ways in which Black
Immigrants and African Americans are targeted for mass
incarceration/detention/deportation, and how stigmatization by the
prison/detention system leads to disenfranchisement and suffering.


Re-defining Civic Engagement for Community Organizing
Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Moderator: Tia Oso, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Panelists: Adrienne Bambou, The Honorable Alona Clifton, Krystina Francois,
Florida Immigrant Coalition, Maurice Mitchell, NY Civic Engagement Table,
Marybeth Onyeukwu, DACAmented Activist.
From systemic attacks on Voting Rights and disenfranchisement in electoral
politics to low participation in DACA and naturalization activities, it seems Black
communities that once heralded democratic engagement as a marker of
progress and advancement have lost interest in civic participation. This panel
discussion examines the challenges Black Communities face in civic participation
and how we can turn these challenges into an organizing strategy. Gain insights
and ideas to ignite the next movement for justice, democracy and cultural pride in
the Black community.

*This session will only last one hour due to room commitment.



8
Economic Justice and Workers Rights Location: Gallery
Tamieka Atkins, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Ajamu Dillahunt, Black
Workers for Justice and Lola Smallwood Cuevas, LA Black Workers Center.
Black US and foreign-born workers face some of the highest unemployment
rates and lowest wages of all employees in the American workforce. For people
of African descent, economic exploitation and hyper-exploitation represent the
most common condition in the 21
st
century, creating poverty and other social
ills. Black workers need Economic Justice and Workers Rights if they are to
improve the material conditions of their lives, and their families. This workshop
will examine the effects of a lack of organization on the job, and what we can do
gain a democracy in the work place.

Lunch
12:30 pm 1:30pm

Arts & Activism: Amanda Jackson, BIN Steering Committee
Featured Artists: Tony Polanco and Cindy Peralta

Cultural Activities
1:30 pm 2:30 pm

Skills and Capacity Building Workshops &
Coaching Sessions

2:30 pm 4:00 pm

Communicating for Change Location: Community Room
Makani Themba, Praxis Project
How do we make sure we are a visible, powerful voice in the public
conversation? What will it take to reframe the debate in ways that include our
issues and concerns? These and other questions will be explored in this
session on strategic communications to advance immigrant justice. Participants
will learn about framing and building a messaging and communications plan
around their specific campaigns.

Raising Money as Community Organizers Location: Computer Room
Marjorie Fine, Public Interest Projects
Join Marjorie Fine, noted grant-maker and fundraiser and your colleagues for
some learning, sharing, discussion and cheerleading on finding the pleasure and
excitement in fundraising. Whether you are a new or seasoned fundraiser, paid
staff or board member, comfortable or nervous about asking for money this
session is for you. We will explore attitude adjustments about money, values
and skills organizers and fundraisers have in common, where to find donors and
how to ask for money.
9
Consultants Caf Location: Gallery
Thamara LaBrousse, Miami Workers Center, Gerald Lenoir, Black Alliance for Just
Immigration and Denise Perry, Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity.
Sign up to receive one on one coaching.
Do you desire to better develop your organization? Do you think that coaching
from an experienced Director of a movement building organization could help
you? Be sure to sign up to speak with one of 3 experts on community-based
organizational development These coaching sessions can provide critical,
confidential insight thatll support existing organizations or provide knowledge to
those who are just beginning to put together their strategy to serve a community
in need. Come get coached during a 20 30 minutes session!

Strategy Session Part 1 (Choose 1 to attend)
4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Our mission is to connect, train and build, towards policy and cultural shifts for a
racial justice and migrant rights agenda. What does this look like? Join a
strategy session where you will connect with other leaders to develop and
create a national movement for progress in Black Communities around critical
issues. These sessions will shape BINs work over the next two years.

Option 1: Taking Action to End Mass Incarceration and Immigration
Detention
Location: Community Room

Option 2: Reuniting Haitian-American Families Campaign Strategy Session
Location: Arts and Crafts Room

Option 3: Taking Action for Workers Rights and Protections
Location: Computer Room

We Are All Each Others Keeper: The Importance of Youth Organizing &
Supporting All Young Black People. I am my sister's keeper too
Location: Gallery
Ruth Jeannoel, Power U Center for Social Change, Jarrel Strong, Power U Youth
Member, Annie Thomas, Power U Youth Member, Sherika Shaw, Dream Defenders
In light of the My Brother's Keeper Initiative we will discuss the importance of
youth organizing within movement organizing and the ways that we can create
spaces for black girls to be leading that. We need to be My Sister's Keeper and
have her back too. We need to take care of our sister the same way that we take
care of our brother. In fact, we need resources to elevate and support all of our
young Black people.

*Note: This is not a strategy session.
10
SUNDAY MAY 25, 2014

Light Breakfast & Coffee
8:30 am 9:00 am Location: Lobby

Prophetic Role of Faith Traditions For Justice
9:00 am 10:00 am Location: Theater
Reverend Kelvin Sauls, Holman United Methodist Church

Griot Session: Sharing Outcomes of Strategy Meetings
10:00 am 11:00 am Location: Theater

Strategy Session Part 2 (Choose 1 to attend)
11:00 am 12:00 pm

Option 1: Taking Action to End Mass Incarceration and Immigration
Detention
Location: Community Room

Option 2: Reuniting Haitian-American Families Campaign Strategy Session
Location: Arts and Crafts Room

Option 3: Taking Action for Workers Rights and Protections
Location: Computer Room


Envisioning A World With Racial Justice and Migrant Rights
12:00 pm 1:30pm Location: Theater
Moderator: Elandria Williams, Highlander Center
Panelists: Philip Agnew, Dream Defenders, Monica Hernandez, Southeast
Immigrant Rights Network, Ruth Jeannoel, Power U, Gerald Lenoir, Black Alliance
for Just Immigration, Amanda Lugg, African Services Committee and Jasson Perez,
Black Youth Project.
Come hear from an intergenerational panel of movement leaders. After three
days of convening at the Black Immigration Network assembly these
community-based movement leaders will share their vision of movement
building at the intersections amongst our kinship assembly. They will share
about youth engagement, significance of Black-led labor movement,
criminalization, immigration detention, mass incarceration and will talk about the
exciting things being done to ensure workers protections and economic thriving
across the nation.

Closing & Lunch to Go
1:30pm
Keep Up online! #BIN2014 #RISINGTOGETHER
LOCAL MIAMI TREATS
PLACES TO VISIT
African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
6161 NW 22nd Ave. 305/638-6771
Colorfully designed with the vision of being a center for Liberty Citys artists and youth to display
their work and enhance their talents, it opened in 1974. The center has an auditorium, art and
dance classrooms and an exhibit area that can be utilized by the community and after-school arts
programs.
The Historic Overtown Folklife Village
Northwest 2nd and 3rd avenues between 8th and 10th streets
Traditionally Overtowns cultural and entertainment area, the State of Florida designated it the
Overtown Main Street Community. Its redevelopment includes a mixed-use marketplace with a
retail component that is focused on the arts and humanities of the Harlem Renaissance, the
Caribbean and West Africa. The African-themed Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall opens up to the
adjacent Lyric Theater, creating a year-round destination for various events including family and
class reunions and festivals.
The Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall
Northwest 9th Street and 2nd Avenue
The mall was dedicated in December 1994 during the Summit of the Americas celebrations. It
was designed by artist Gary Moore, who featured vibrant variations in color resembling African
Kente cloth patterns. The mall presents a luscious landscape and ornate street xtures. It is
located next to The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Welcome Center Complex and is often
alive with community festivals and celebrations that continue to make the Historic Overtown
Folklife Village an exciting place to visit.
*information above provided by Miami Black Visitors Guide
FOR MORE TO DO VISIT: www.miamiblackvisitorguide.com
Sherri Nigerian Restaurant
16595 NW 27th Ave.
Miami, FL 33054
(305) 622-3100
TapTap
819 5th St,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 672-2898
Chez le Bebe
114 NE 54th St,
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 751-7639
Chef Creole
200 NW 54th St,
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 754-2223
People's Bar-b-que
360 NW 8th St,
Miami, FL 33136
(305) 373-8080
BLACK IMMIGRATION NETWORK
c/o Black Alliance for Just Immigration
660 Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(347) 410-5312
www.blackimmigiration.net
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/BlackImmigrationNetwork
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/BlackImmNetwork
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/BlackImmNetwork