In May the first Urban Democracy Feast was held in Kalamazoo. It offers people with an idea for a social justice project the chance to make their pitch for funding. The Urban Feast includes dinner and presentations about ideas for tackling an issue in the community.
In May Jacob Pinney-Johnson was part of a group that asked for money to revitalize a community organizing leadership development program. They were awarded $1,000. Majyck D’s idea was to start a community-based internet radio station. She was given “a couple hundred dollars.” They joined WMUK’s Gordon Evans.
The next Urban Democracy Feast will be held December 19th at the Hispanic-American Council of Kalamazoo. People are asked for a $10 donation which is awarded to the presenters based on the votes of the people who attend. It’s volunteer run, so everything, including the food is donated.
The money can be used to launch a new project or help along an existing effort. Pinney-Johnson says the Institute for New Leadership was an existing program geared toward young adults. He says it had “fizzled out,” but he and others hoped to get it back up and running. Pinney-Johnson says the group has spent much of their time since May organizing and raising more money.
"There's really something special about folks getting together, sitting down down side-by-side and sharing a meal together, and talking about issues in their community."
Majyck D says she has found a building where she would like to have a studio. But she hasn’t spent any of the money awarded in May. Majyck says it’s important to be accountable, because she has to report on December 19th what she has done with the funds that were awarded.
There are plenty of ways to raise money through social media. But Pinney-Johnson says
“There’s really something special about folks getting together, sitting down down side-by-side and sharing a meal together, and talking about issues in their community.”
