Prioritize. Plan. Produce. & Protect US.
BEWUN is a coalition of everyday people, businesses, organizations, and institutions committed to protecting and strengthening Black American communities at home and the growing number abroad.
The goal is to unify our efforts in a way that compounds our collective capital, increases our impact, and allows us to prioritize US, plan for US, produce for US, and protect US.
About BEWUN
Built for US. By US
BEWUN is the system that powers a coalition of individuals, organizations, businesses, and institutions committed to advancing Black American life in the United States, and our growing numbers abroad.
There is no shortage of powerful work happening across our communities. People are building, leading, advocating, teaching, investing, and creating change every day. The gap is not effort; it's a system of coordination and communication.
We are not tapping into each other effectively or leveraging our collective strength fully. As a result, our impact is often fragmented instead of compounded.
BEWUN exists to change that.
Our Purpose
At its core, BEWUN operates through four principles:
Prioritize. Plan. Produce. & Protect US.
Prioritize US
By placing Black American life, progress, and sustainability at the center of decision-making across people, organizations, and institutions.
Plan for US
Through the creation of think tanks that develop intentional short and long-term strategies designed to strengthen our communities structurally, economically, and socially.
Produce for US
Using our collective capital to implement and execute plans that drive real, measurable outcomes, growth, resilience, and advancement.
Protect US
Through coordinated advocacy, governance, and defense to ensure that what we build is sustained, secured, and scaled.
Quarterly Community Convening
Bewun Quarterly Community Convening — First Month of Each Quarter, Last Wednesday of That Month
Every quarter Bewun brings the coalition together for a Community Convening. A space where we align on strategy, share updates, celebrate progress, and plan the next steps together. This is not just a meeting. This is how we move as one.
Next Community Convening
Theme : Adopting A Nation Building Mindset
Event Details
DATE
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Doors open at 5:00 PM · Concludes at 8:30 PM
LOCATION
TBA
COST
Completely free
Open to all, individuals, organizations & businesses
TRAINING INITIATIVES
A comprehensive training series running May through July, covering every dimension of community resilience.
Capacity is limited to 20 per session.
May Training Highlights
May’s BEWUN Self -Sufficiency & Readiness Trainings (SSRT) brought community members together for impactful hands-on sessions centered on preparedness, leadership, communication, collective care, and self-defense. From emergency planning and building stronger support systems to learning off-grid communication strategies and practical protection skills, each training reinforced the importance of preparation, awareness, and community coordination before crisis.
What participants explored throughout May’s trainings:
1 .Go Bags & Emergency Action Plans (May 7th)
Preparing Emergency Kits. Strengthening Emergency Readiness. Building Crisis Preparedness.
2.Building and Leading Community Care Networks (May 13)
Strengthening Collective Care. Building Support Systems. Connecting Communities.
3.Communicating through Grid Failure (May 20)
Strengthening Communication. Preparing for Outages. Staying Connected Beyond the Grid.
4.Self Defense Training (May 28)
Building Awareness. Strengthening Confidence. Practical Self Defence Skills.
Developing Block Leaders I
Learn the foundations of leadership at the neighborhood level and how to organize effectively within your block.
Grow Where You Are: Practical Gardening for Food Security & Self Reliance
This beginner-friendly workshop introduces indoor and small-space gardening using containers, windowsills, and raised beds. It emphasizes practical techniques that support food security, self-reliance, and confidence.
Shelter In Place I
Understand how to safely remain in place during emergencies, including preparation, supplies, and safety protocols.
Gunshot Wound Training
Gain critical, life-saving skills to respond effectively to gunshot wounds in emergency situations.
Sheltering in Place II
Build on foundational knowledge with advanced strategies for long-term safety and stability while sheltering in place.
Protestor Health
Learn tips for collective safety during protests, rapid response actions, or law enforcement interactions in your neighborhood
Ongoing Farming Training
Hands-on training focused on building sustainable food systems and increasing community self-sufficiency.
Community Leadership Training
Strengthen your ability to lead, organize, and drive impact within your community.
TRAINING INITIATIVES
A comprehensive training series running May through July, covering every dimension of community resilience. Capacity is limited to 20 per session.
MAY
Go Bags & Emergency Action Plans
Learn how to prepare essential emergency kits and create clear, actionable plans to respond in times of crisis.
Building and Leading Community Care Networks
Learn how to create and sustain support systems that ensure community members are cared for during times of need.
Communicating Without Power
Explore practical methods for staying connected and informed when traditional communication systems are unavailable.
Self Defense Training
Build awareness, confidence, and practical skills to protect yourself in real-world situations.
JUNE
Developing Block Leaders I
Learn the foundations of leadership at the neighborhood level and how to organize effectively within your block.
Beginner Friendly Farms
Learn the foundations of leadership at the neighborhood level and how to organize effectively within your block.
Shelter In Place I
Understand how to safely remain in place during emergencies, including preparation, supplies, and safety protocols.
Gunshot Wound Training
Gain critical, life-saving skills to respond effectively to gunshot wounds in emergency situations.
JULY
Sheltering in Place II
Build on foundational knowledge with advanced strategies for long-term safety and stability while sheltering in place.
Protestor Health
Learn how to protect your physical health and respond to medical needs during protests and demonstrations.
Ongoing Farming Training
Hands-on training focused on building sustainable food systems and increasing community self-sufficiency.
Community Leadership Training
Strengthen your ability to lead, organize, and drive impact within your community.
Join Us at Our First Event - Book Your Spot Now
This is a free event for the community. Complete the form below and sselect how you're joining Bewun.
THE BLACK SUMMER OF STUDY
Black Summer of Study starts June 8th, and we are getting warmed up with The Willie Lynch Letter.
It's a short read, usually around 10–15 pages, and is attributed to a man named Willie Lynch, who allegedly gave a speech in 1712 on methods of controlling enslaved Africans. The version most people know today didn't gain widespread attention until the 1990s, and its authenticity has been debated ever since. Many historians argue there's no evidence the original speech actually took place.
So why start here?
Its very short. We need to warm up. But even more important is that before we can talk about liberation, we have to talk about conditioning.
Whether authentic or not, the letter forces us to wrestle with a bigger question, how are people taught what to believe, who to trust, who to fear, and how to see themselves?
The document speaks directly to division, manipulation, and control, making it a useful starting point for examining the ways systems, institutions, media, and even culture can shape our thinking without us realizing it.
The goal isn't to tell anyone what to think or what to believe.
The goal is to strengthen our ability to think critically, question narratives, recognize patterns, and have thoughtful discussions about the forces that influence us.
Read it with us and the young people in your life.
Challenge it. Agree with it. Disagree with it. Just engage.
Support Black-Owned Bookstores
Purchase your books from Black-owned bookstores .Explore these trusted resources to find books for the Black Summer of Study:
1.National Association of Black Bookstores directory
2. Afriware Books (Online Black-owned bookstore)
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1.GET EQUIPPED
Purchase your books from Black-owned bookstores whenever possible.
Trusted resources include:
• Afriware Books
• National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB²) Directory
• Other independent Black-owned bookstores in your area or online
We also encourage participants to have:
• A journal
• A highlighter
2.READ & REFLECT
Commit to a consistent reading practice.
• Read 15 pages per day
• Highlight key ideas and passages
• Journal your thoughts and reflections
• Stay consistent throughout the program
3. ENGAGE & PARTICIPATE
Stay connected to the community throughout the Black Summer of Study.
• Join the Bewun Online Community
• Follow TeQuila on Substack
• Share your reflections and insights
• Participate in meaningful discussions
• Grow through collective learning and conversation
June 8 – June 14
Willie Lynch Letter
June 15 – July 3
The Mis-Education of the Negro
July 4 – July 31
Message to the Black Man in America
August 1 – August 31
Black Labor, White Wealth
Stay Connected Throughout Summer
Join the Bewun Online Community to connect with fellow participants, share reflections, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions throughout the Black Summer of Study.
Follow TeQuila Shabazz for reflections, valuable insights, and deeper context that will help you get more out of each book and enrich your Black Summer of Study experience.
Copyright 2026. BEWUN. All Rights Reserved.