Presenting...The National Black Accord

The National Black Accord (Source: Keshawn Walker)

The National Black Accord is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing programs that introduce control, power, and beneficial resources to the community. The organization’s mission is to promote “self-determination,” which refers to the act of being able to determine and control one’s own destiny.

Keshawn Walker, the founder of the National Black Accord, made the decision to create the organization last year after noticing the need for African-American representation in the country. He made it his personal mission to find ways to make a difference.

“I was looking for somebody who wasn't hearing anybody say anything that I wanted to hear or move towards,” Walker said. “So I said ‘I'm gonna go ahead and I'm going to start something,’ and that's how the National Black Accord came about.”

Walker believes in the importance of representation and having theright people speaking for the community. He used officials who purchase properties in lower income neighborhoods as an example. Since many of them are not aware of the issues occurring in said areas, Walker believes they should not be representing the residents.

Each member of the National Black Accord is expected to be involved in the community and build relationships with the people. This way, they are able to learn the issues and produce effective solutions.

Keshawn Walker, the founder of the National Black Accord (Source: Tim Farrell (Cleveland))

“To represent the people, you’ve got to come to the people in a manner to where it's not subjected to just what we think (they need),” Walker said. “We've got to listen to them, and then we’ve got to go back, and then, decide to create, and that's how you represent people.”

Initially, Walker believed that he needed an exorbitant amount of money to assist the people within (and outside of) his community. However, he came to realize that wasn’t the case. He found that there were other needs to be met that didn’t require a substantial amount of financial resources.

Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, and Marcus Garvey are just a few of the many activists who inspired the organization. Providing education, employment, opportunities, and resources for people in country are things that these individuals have done to support and enhance society. Dwayne Borden, the Human Resource Director for the National Black Accord, says that the organization’s mission ultimately ties back to the work done by these impactful activists.

“All of this parallels back to those of our predecessors that came before us…which takes place today, (which is like 100 years later now),” Borden said. “So this is why everything that Keshawn was touching on is imperative; it ties into what our predecessors have done previously.”

Keshawn Walker interacting with children Source: Mikey Indriolo (Detroit))

The organization offers a variety of programs to encourage community involvement. One of those programs includes weekly self defense classes for children…their goal being to teach them how to defend themselves both verbally and physically. The organization also offers programs that focus on the development of African-American culture. In the near future, the National Black Accord plans to have more classes that resonate with the “everyday lives” of community members.

Taking the time to listen to others is a priority that Walker takes very seriously. He says that by being present and receptive to someone’s personal struggles, one has a greater ability to help them find solutions. He used the term “common-unity” to describe how people should discuss their similarities and differences in an effort to improve communication.

“Common-unity,” Walker said. “Find out what we’ve got in common and what we don’t have in common. Then work from there.”

One of the ways the organization establishes a connection with community members is by literallymeeting them where they are. Members of the National Black Accord visit local businesses and even converse with people on the street to personally hear their issues. They then use the information to design new programs and resources for the community.

Walker hopes that people understand the power that they hold and that everything is political. The organization aims to show people the contradictions of the system, as well as how oppression is tearing the people’s right to self-determination. He also wants readers to know that the National Black Accord is fighting for everyone.

“We fight for the people, and not just black people,” Walker said. “We’re fighting for the oppressed; the people who want a chance…for those who are trying to breathe.”

To learn more about the National Black Accord, visit their website at https://nationalblackaccord.org.