Sept. 23, 2021

WE’VE CHANGED OUR NAME

(NOT AALF, BUT…)

The Alliance of Alliances

is now

United By Black

Powered By All

Led by the African American

Leadership Forum

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder by local police, members of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boulé) felt an urgent responsibility as Black men to raise their voices and use their privilege as executives to address inequities brewing in Minneapolis. 

 Last Spring, the group challenged community, nonprofit, and business leaders to go beyond writing letters of concern to taking action. Acknowledging the diversity of Black Minnesotans, they reached out to the African American Leadership Forum (AALF) to ensure that any solutions would be centered on improving conditions and the environment for all of us. 

The working group quickly chose a name, the Alliance of Alliances, knowing it was merely a placeholder for something that might have greater meaning for all involved.

As we hired additional staff at AALF to build capacity, we reached out to The Brand Lab, a local nonprofit that mentors talented high school and college marketing students. They worked with our stakeholders to seek out a name and logo that  would better reflect this growing movement.

Several names didn’t quite work, but when we hit upon United By Black we knew we were on the right track. United By Black, or UB for short, reflects our commitment to systemic change that meets the needs of the Black community by leveraging AALF’s use of  Black-centered design. The tagline, Powered By All, indicates that we are inclusive of those who are aligned with our core values. Not only are these individuals, organizations, and businesses welcome, but they have a meaningful role to play. 

Over the coming years of this decade-long endeavor, we’ll work together to define what success looks like.  As we move forward, we’ll engage and expand AALF’s network to ensure this work continues to be led by Black Minnesotans.  

Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re moving forward with plans to engage Black Minnesotans—and those invested in this community—to understand the greater need as it relates to public safety, housing, education, employment, infrastructure, and healthcare. We aim to get at the root of centuries-long disparities in an effort to heal the past and transform the trajectory of the future. We know this work will not be easy or fast. To make a difference, we need your voice and your commitment. Together, we can raise our collective voices and ensure the world listens to Black Minnesotans.

Join the conversation!