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In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become a part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed. This means that we are going to have to learn to think in radical terms. I use the term radical in its original meaning—getting down to understanding the root cause. It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you change that system. Ms. Ella Jo Baker Who We Are The Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC is an
historically African-American community that has suffered from decades of ONE DC (formerly Manna CDC) was founded in 1997 in the midst of this neighborhood change. From early on, ONE DC's approach to community development addressed structural causes of poverty and injustice, an orientation that stemmed from deep analysis of race, power, and the economic, political, and social forces at work in Shaw and the District. As a result, ONE DC’s community development work centers on popular education, community organizing, and alternative economic development projects. In its short history, ONE DC has distinguished itself as one of a few organizations in Washington, DC that moves beyond service provision to build sustainable community capacity and leadership so that low-income people of color can speak for themselves. ONE DC promotes leadership that does not tell others what to do, but helps them take charge to build their abilities and skills; it is not about being the leader, but about building more leadership in the community to increase capacity for the long term. Finally, ONE DC recognizes that leadership cannot exist without the support and power of the whole community. Central to ONE DC’s leadership style is the identification and dismantling of systemic influences such as racism, classism and sexism that manifest both individually and institutionally. ONE DC's progressive organizing values are heavily influenced by the principles and achievements of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), as well as other groups and people-led movements for justice and human rights that have occurred throughout the world. |
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Manna CDC Transitioning to New, Independent Organization: ONE DC
New organization, ONE DC, to emphasize community organizing and equitable development. Manna CDC—the 9-year-old grassroots community development corporation that helped invigorate the Shaw neighborhood’s economic and social renaissance—is forming ONE DC (Organizing Neighborhood Equity), a new independent organization focused on community organizing, equitable development, popular education and resident-led policy advocacy. Manna CDC has operated under the Manna, Inc. corporate structure. Recognizing Manna CDC’s extraordinary growth and progressive values, the Manna board of directors believes restructuring will enable Manna CDC to expand its capacity and create a new, progressive organizational model in line with its goals. The mission of ONE DC will be to exercise political strength to create and preserve racial and economic equity in Shaw and the District.
For more information on this transition please click here. We thank you for your support!
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disinvestment, lack of City services, and lack of economic opportunities for
its residents. Recent years have seen increased market-rate development that
caters to new residents, often displacing long-time, low-income residents in the
process. 