By the very nature of its work (aka “seedswork”), S.E.E.D.S. engages African People and organizations in the service of African empowerment and liberation. The impetus to develop the Pan-African Communities Empowerment (P-A-C-E) Network derives from three analytical considerations: (a) the current state of the African Liberation Movement; (b) critical next steps in organizing (i.e., grounding, re–focusing, energizing) and building the Movement; and (c) what practical, replicable, locally launched effort might effectively model a small part of “the way forward”.

The P-A-C-E Network is an attempt to strategically link dozens of African communities, hundreds of Black churches & organizations, and thousands African peoples through collective work on a variety of practical, socially beneficial and empowering initiatives.

In 2006 and 2007, our focus will be on mobilizing / enlisting: (1) institutions located in eastern metro areas of the US and (2) regional and national entities which, in turn enlist the participation of their locally–based members. The P-A-C-E Network will promote (a) local–global awareness campaigns that support the self–determination of our people as well as (b) some specific programs emphasizing African–centered Service, Education, Economic Development, and Science. Initiatives which engage youth and college students will also be incorporated into the Network.

WHICH WAY FORWARD?

One of the Network’s key contributions to the African Liberation Movement may prove to be its function of fostering collaborations between “African activists” and “average Black folks” (people who don’t consider themselves activists). Over time, we want to engage and enlist greater numbers of “average Africans” in conscious, organized “Movement work”. The Network will be both a source of African–centered political and cultural information and an access point for informed activism. It will enable seasoned, committed activists (and their organizations) and “average Black folks” to work together. Initially, the basis of unity within the P-A-C-E Network may simply be support of / participation in broadly acceptable, “feel good” projects such as Start–A–Library and CFFE. However, as work gets done and the struggle continues, we envision increasing levels of Pan African collaboration on empowering projects, important issues and liberating campaigns.

In fact, this integrated approach will add more bodies and more
brains —quantity and quality— to the Struggle. With commitment and leadership from many African–centered Activist Groups, the P-A-C-E Network can help mightily in moving toward:

• More average Black folks doing “Movement work” AND gaining deeper interest in and understanding of the issues.
• More activists actually engaging average folks and learning from them.
• More average folks transforming into activists
• More activists and activist organizations working collaboratively and effectively
• Heightened Pan African consciousness and capacity for protracted struggle within our People

To facilitate communication and collaborative efforts within the Network, the plan is to organize a small “P-A-C-E contact committee" at each member institution. Contact committees will provide an active (participation and communications) link between the Network and the member organization. Information will be shared among members of the Network via email listserv, newsletter, events, periodic meetings and eventually, web site(s). The communication between the Network and our broader community will be enhanced through a selection of media projects and a strong activists speakers bureau.

“Lead by example.” Doing the work well; and consistently supporting African people and progressive struggles will aid in moving our struggle forward. To lead by example is the way that the P-A-C-E Network will earn credibility and respect.