Case file · Selected founder experience

Nonprofit · Racial JusticeCommunity mobilization2023

Santa Cruz Black

Ayo's roleOrganizational strategy; all program and marketing

Founder experienceThis is prior work by Ayo Banjo, presented as founder experience, not as a Banjo Strategies client engagement.

Community members in front of a "Break the Stigma, Not Your Vibe" mental-health banner
"Break the Stigma, Not Your Vibe" community campaign2023

The challenge

Mobilize the Black Santa Cruz community across multiple program tiers, sustainably, with collective decision-making at the center.

One-off events do not build community power. The programming had to cohere into a year people could belong to.
The stakes

The approach

Collective decision-making processes, a multi-tier event calendar, and a unified brand identity across programs.

Built and delivered

  • Black Mental Wellness Panel
  • A Santa Cruz Blacksgiving
  • Forum on the levee breach
  • Transparency Town Hall
  • Mixer honoring Ketanji Brown Jackson
  • Santa Cruz Art Showcase

From the field

Two community members embracing at a mental-health and wellness event
Community wellness event
Ayo Banjo at a community resource fair information booth
Community resource fair

The results

Blacksgiving, the Art Showcase, the KBJ Mixer, and the Town Hall executed as one coherent year of programming.

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