Introducing the Atlanta Black Think Tank— “BlacIntellec” (The Authentic Voice of a People)

Current Environment with past consideration:

Due to the continued struggle of Black folk to overcome the perception of inadequacy and lack of economic importance, BlacIntellec Think Tank was created, as a tool, to support the articulation and position of the Black Community to issues or concerns it may have. It will also attempt to articulate the Black communities’ predestined responses for growth and economic benefits to its Community and the city by cataloging the actual input of Black community respondents.

As a Think Tank BlacIntellec will gather and present the opinion and position of the Black Community and its Black businesses to those who can influence outcomes, including the general public. It will, however, not simply follow the structures and methodologies of other Think Tanks but will carve out a unique role and course of action of its own. It will design and utilize tools that will allow the unabated voice of the Community to be gathered, documented, shared, understood, and recognized without the filters of current structures for such organizations. Further, it will present itself to the Community as a tool of expression on matters which may affect the direction and future outcome of the Black Community and its residents and challenge opinionated debate.

BlacIntellec (A Black Atlanta Think Tank)

BlacIntellec will and has begun the development of a local repository of Black intelligentsia across the entire spectrum of Atlanta.  These persons will include those from higher educational institutions, to citizen advocates, entrepreneurs, and those experienced in the lives of the streets.  These persons and others will:

• Provide research and policy recommendations, generate ideas, analyze, and propose solutions to complex Black community problems.

• Not be like other Think Tanks in gathering and presenting their findings.

Further, BlacIntellec will:

• Strive to present the authentic voice of a community and its responses or concerns on issues that may affect the Community. As such, BlacIntellec will be a different type of Think Tank. Most of its outputs will contain the actual input responses of those articulating the position of the Community. These responses can be made available to any and all who question the work and will be a summary response of the actual voice of the Community on an issue or concern.

  • Due to technological advances in data collection, BlacIntellec will use technology as a foundation for obtaining the actual voice of the community “word-for-word.”  As technology progresses, BlacIntellec will advance in its abilities and techniques to present information to those of importance.

• Present the authentic and genuine voice of the Black community from Black community persons who have experienced an issue and/or outcome and have not had a platform to do so. Through this instrument, a community response will be unfiltered by research and research presentation restrictions. And by providing a tool through which we can gain the views of the persons living in a proposed situation and enable the response to be a consensus from that complex Community or group that will reflect the conditions, history, culture, and experiences contained within those affected.

  • It will utilize the many components of community engagement and community group dynamics coupled with world-class instruments that can be used to depict a collegial view.

  • Publish thought papers prepared by local leaders on various community concerns or potential responses.

• Gather recorded input from the Community in developing certain responses and publish the same. The methodology will be able to contain the reactions of the actual persons participating. The participant names will be held in confidence and only regularly made public if required or requested by the participants.

Additionally, BlacIntellec will:

• Utilize different methods to gather insights and responses to address and influence the public on Black business and community economic issues.

• Have conducted appropriate research and analysis on issues as a response.

• Provide a voice for the common Black business and residents to speak about specific issues such as benefits and impacts.

• Help identify the Black ecosystem that supports the economic and social networks that undergird the Atlanta Black Community and foster a sense of Community and cultural identity.

• Offer plans and responses articulating the Community’s views.

The methodologies utilized will enable BlacIntellec to gather insights into communities, organizations, and various groups and networks. Turnaround can be within 72 hours.

As with other Think Tank operations, BlacIntellec will:

1. Provide valuable knowledge and expertise to inform decision-making and shape public discourse.

2. It will also conduct research, analysis, policy recommendations, and strategic insights on specific topics or issues Black businesses and communities face. (In these cases, the outcome methodology will be so noted)

3. Should it be necessary for a particular response to the whole? BlacIntellec can incorporate the views of the Black ecosystem without attribution, retribution, or acrimony.

4. Educate and inform the Black community of issue awareness that may affect the Community.

Methodologies to be utilized: To be the Voice of the Community

BlacIntellec will use a computer-based network to provide real-time Information gathering and:

• Utilize HBCU College Students when and where possible.

• Have researchers and other authorities conduct analysis and provide recommendations.

BlacIntellec will provide additional value by:

• Conducting Focus groups on issues.

• Creating strategies around problem-solving topics.

• Have constituents review the feasibilities and opportunities.

• Becoming an organ through which Black leaders can express their knowledge and experience through Opinion Papers.

• Associating with HBCUs to develop specific research papers.

• Have an active Community Advisory Board to assist with public recognition, organizational planning, and more.

• Conduct at least one annual Community Forum to disseminate findings and engage the Community.

• Publish BlacIntellec Papers from all sources utilized.

• Providing a Blog, newsletters, and other communication tools to carry and publicize its views.

BlacIntellec will use the knowledge and information of Local Black Authorities.

• Have the Community evaluate projects and publish responses.

• Offer an opportunity for College youth to become involved.

• An opportunity for those with quiet but important positions to become known.

• It will focus on thinking, knowledge, experience, and ideas because ideas matter and drive action. It will offer new ways of thinking by integrating thought and action.

• It will put its muscle and resources behind the theory that those with lived experience are as many policy experts as anyone with a Ph.D. from any university.

Additionally, BlacIntellec will utilize various methods to get its messages out to the Community and leadership; namely, it will:

• Utilize Social Networks –Facebook, Twitter, etc.

• Create a Blog and utilize direct email lists.

• Direct Mail to persons important to the issue.

• Direct contact with local Elected and appointed officials.

• Host an Annual State of the Community Conference.

• Guest Speakers dispatched to various organizations.

• Guests on Radio & Blog Media.

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