Last week, Emancipate NC’s Dedan Waciuri traveled to Miami, FL to attend the Back to Black conference — a powerful gathering of organizers, thinkers, and grassroots leaders committed to advancing Black political power across the South.
The conversations were bold, rooted, and visionary. Attendees explored what it means to reclaim community control, confront systemic oppression, and build sustainable strategies for self-determination.
Together, they emphasized the need to:
- Build independent Black institutions
- Invest in ongoing political education
- Forge regional coalitions grounded in shared histories and struggles
From voter engagement to mutual aid, one message was clear: true power doesn’t come from assimilation — it comes from organizing our people around our own needs, values, and visions.
Reflecting on the experience, Dedan shared:
“This conference reminded me that the South is not just the frontline of repression — it’s the birthplace of our most powerful freedom movements. We carry that legacy forward, continuing the work of liberation with clarity, creativity, and deep love for our communities.”