The Black Caucus Movement (BCM) was launched yesterday at the premises of businessman William Munro on the Western Main Road, St James. The movement’s mission statement includes “creating a healthy, holistic and wealthy African community that actualises its fullest potential.”
Coinciding with the opening of the BCM office, the launch featured many speakers, including its chairman Munro, CEO Ronald Nathan, Orisha elder Oloye Oranke Massetungi, former senator Muhammad Shabazz, TV network director O’Brian Haynes, Nation of Islam’s David Muhammad and talkshow host Mike Jones. Proceedings were hosted by Keenan Munro. Some of the aims of the BCM are the establishment of an African credit union, a real estate co-operative and a multi-purpose co-operative.
Disclosing that the BCM already has two radio programmes and one on television, Nathan said the timing of the launch of the organisation was “because we love our T&T and believe in its highest ideals.” He added: “In this country, not every creed and race finds an equal place. African people are at the bottom of the social ladder and live in an island of poverty in a sea of prosperity.
“Our children, even with degrees, after going through the education system, struggle to secure jobs. We can no longer depend on the official arms of state to help us. We need to say, ‘Enough is enough,’ and begin to help ourselves.” Nathan implored the large gathering to begin generating “inter-generational wealth.” He said: “We need to support each other and our own financial organisation.”
Haynes, a BCM executive member, said another goal of the organisation was to initiate a business registry of African-owned enterprises to encourage networking within the African community. “BCM is about economic independence,” said Ruthven Jack during his address. “We need to learn the value of legacy planning and entrepreneurship,” he added.
Staying there were over 400,000 citizens of African descent in T&T, Munro suggested that if a portion of that figure invested $200 a month for six months the BCM multi -purpose co-operative could accrue in excess of $300 million. He also said included in the BCM plans was the formation of its own media network. The gathering was also addressed by former soca monarch Iwer George.