BLUU provides support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists across the country. Through our faith, BLUU also helps with groundbreaking initiatives for Black people. We’re excited to share updates about our Housing Initiative and programming. Support from donors, volunteers and the UU community help make this happen. Thank you!

Over the last fifteen years, the U.S. housing market has been a financial roller coaster. From the tragic housing market bust in the early 2000’s to unprecedented increases in homeownership in the wake of the pandemic, the truth still remains: Black families today own fewer homes than they did a decade ago.

The BLUU Housing Cooperative Initiative empowers Black and Indigenous families to have more agency collectively than they would individually as homeowners, giving them a solid investment and more support.

There are several unique features to ensure success:

1. BLUU Cooperative home buyers will not need a significant amount for a down payment. Partnerships with Wells Fargo and Urban Homeworks are helping to keep homeownership accessible and affordable from the beginning.
2. The Cooperative will have reserves supporting families in times of crisis. If a homeowner suffers from a medical crisis or is laid off, there is a support fund to cover three months of housing payments.
3. Agreements with the City of Minneapolis will establish long-term affordability for owners, ensuring the price of the home will not increase as the property transfers from seller to buyer.

BLUU is starting this work in Minnesota, a state experiencing some of the biggest economic racial disparities in the country. Minneapolis became a powerful place to start when these disparities became even greater during the pandemic.

We look forward to updating you on our work as it progresses. Learn more about BLUU’s Cooperative Housing Initiative at

https://blacklivesuu.org/bluu-housing-initiative/

This month BLUU started hosting a monthly meditation practice created by and for Black UUs and Black people who share our values of love, justice, and liberation.

Each month, Alice Ocrey leads a 30-minute sitting meditation. The meditation gives dedicated space for BLUU community members to come together in a practice of mindfulness that centers hope and healing for us as Black people.

Alice Ocrey, a BLUU community member since 2020, has practiced Secular Buddhism since 2009. She became more involved with Secular Buddhism when she joined Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Chicago in 2010.

BLUU spiritual programming comes in many forms for Black UUs to be uplifted and fortified. In addition to the new monthly meditation, programming also includes: monthly worship, daily affirmations via text, and a digital BLUU box subscription that includes prayer, reflection, social justice activities and more.

All of these are curated by and for Black UUs and Black people. Folks who are not Black can support BLUU by participating via BLUU Box subscription or engaging content posted on Patreon.

DONATE To support BLUU programming and initiatives today!