Unity & Organisation

The Black Caucus is a "Skills Bank & Think Tank" It is an aware, action oriented organisation of committed groups and individuals who are concerned about the social, spiritual, psychological and material conditions that have created a crisis in our nation, among our people. In light of such challenges; the Black Caucus shall seek to offer analysis and provide ideological solutions to the many obstacles that confront our people.

A caucus is most generally defined as being a “meeting of supporters” or “members of a movement." The word comes from the Native American Indian; Algonquin language meaning "counsel," and was introduced into political usage through the U.S. Democratic Party. Our movement is  the unification, education and liberation of a people.'
The spirit and character of the Black Caucus is that of "an extended family." The approach is one of an attitude of kinship to one another, and paternalism toward the youth.

AIMS

i- To establish and share an ideology that would contribute towards an eventual improvement in the standard of living and quality of life of the masses of our people.
ii- To sensitise our population to the relevance and urgency of social issues in our country as they affect our entire nation; among the most urgent of these, crime and violence, poverty, educational under-achievement, and degradation of women.
iii- To help unify and organise our people in various projects and efforts for community development.
iv- To lend support to all other concerned groups that seek similar objectives.

The Black Caucus is a Trinidad & Tobago based organisation with both regional and international ties. Community activists and representatives from various districts across Trinidad & Tobago also comprise the membership and provide necessary help. Appreciating the value of unity on all fronts, a combined effort in all of goals will fortify our collective ability in seeking to bring about positive change. The religious ideology of the Black Caucus is the belief in "the oneness of God."

1. The Administrative Committee

Chairman - Vice Chairman - Secretary - Protocol Officer - Treasurer - Security Coordinator

2. Social Affairs Network Committee

Team of Social Affairs Coordinators

3.  District Network Committee

Team of District Coordinators

The Black Caucus comprises of dedicated brothers and sisters in the struggle towards our ultimate evolution. Committee members are competent and qualified in various fields of human endeavour. Among some of the areas in which this organisation shall focus attention are:-

1.Education, 2.Economics, 3.Security, 4.Health, 5.Law, 6.Labour, 7. Communications, 8.Community Service, 9.Culture, 10.Family Restoration, 11. Political Analysis, 12. Information Technology
Within each of these fields a team is assigned to diligently monitor and analyse basic standards and suggest insight, methods of assistance and solutions. The infrastructural framework of this organisation has been inspired that of the "Millions More Movement" launched by the Honourable Louis Farrakhan in 2005 leading up to the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March. The Black Caucus is non-political and non-partisan with regards to local electoral politics. The organisation rejects the notion of 'blind ethnic voting' based on racial bias. Our concern is that our nation of  Trinidad & Tobago be bestowed with the most suitable, genuine and sincere, quality leadership that is available to our country.

Our Work

The work and on-going-mission of the Black Caucus is "education oriented." Knowledge is power” We consider the top priorities to be
i- Reformation of the African Family Structure,
ii- Education of the masses of our people, and
iii- Economic Empowerment.

Each of these; family, education and economics must be developed under spiritual principles that are compatible with the prosperity of the human spirit and condition. Family is the cornerstone institution of society, it is an organisation allowing a foundation from which social, spiritual, psychological and material development can take place. Even in the absence of our biological family members, we must live with ‘one another’ as family. Our 'battle' is for the hearts and the minds of our people, to seek to positively motivate and inspire "us" as a collective community to recognise the power and greatness contained within. It is education that separates man from beast. In regards to Economic empowerment; "The Black man and Black woman must do for self or suffer the consequences..." Being given handouts, social security and welfare is only a part-time solution to a full-time problem." A historic dependency syndrome has been established between the government and the masses, this must be broken in order for true freedom, justice and equality to be accomplished.

The Black Caucus Political College

The Black Caucus is of the view that our society in general and the electorate in particular must be properly educated and suitably informed on the processes, structure and methodology of our general elections as it relates to them as citizens. Each person who casts their vote must be incorporated justly and fairly into the decision-making process in whatever way possible. This can only be done through 'block votes.' A pooling of community 'political resources' is required to get value out of our participation. The strength of many, over-powers the effort of one. Before voting, groups who have been historically neglected by successive governments should itemize their concerns and present them to candidates and representatives, with the intention of even withholding or abstaining from voting if a certain proportion of these concerns are not met.

The Political College Agenda

b) Equal distribution of the wealth of our state should be a top priority of government. It should also be established in Trinidad & Tobago that the natural resources of this nation "belong" to the people and not necessarily to the government only. Each time the price of oil increases, it is only fair that royalties be paid to each citizens, especially if their standard tax paying dollars are not being spent in their best interest.

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Membership in the Black Caucus is open to all who are in agreement with the general aims, goals and objectives of the movement as outlined.
David Muhammad -“ Trinidad Black Caucus Chairman & Nation of Islam local Representative (April 20^th, 2006)

Ideology of The Black Caucus

On the membership forms of The Black Caucus there is a quote from the Honourable Elijah Muhammad. The membership cards have a quote from W.E.B. Du Bois and the letter head has a quote from the great Marcus Garvey. W.E.B. Du Bois said "“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.” Du Bois also said; “A little less complaint and whining, and

a little more dogged work and manly striving, would do us more credit than a thousand civil rights bills.”

Marcus Garvey said; “There is no force like success, and that is why the individual makes all effort to surround himself throughout life with the evidence of it; as of the individual, so should it be of the nation.”

Marcus Garvey also said “Progress is the attraction that moves humanity.”

Why these three men? Because they led 3 of the largest and most consequential black organisations of the 20th century. The NOI, the NAACP and the UNIA. We are trying to sensitize our people to the power of organisation.

Trinidad Media on The Black Caucus Launch

The Express said of the launch of the Black Caucus; "packed to its 500 seating capacity with at least another 100 people standing outside, an attentive audience cheered the call by the group."

The Newsday said "The launch (of the Black Caucus) took place at City Hall Auditorium which overflowed with curious people, mainly of African decent."

The Sunday Guardian spoke of the 1000 strong who came out to show support and join the Black Caucus.

The Sunday Mirror probably gave the most accurate representation of what took place... pictures of people outside, on the stairs

Rastafarian brothers and sisters came out and joined, Catholics, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Methodists and members of other Christian denominations came and joined. Muslims of different persuasions came out and joined. There were Doctors, Lawyers and URP workers. There were school teachers, University lecturers, CCPEP contactors, professors, community activists, trade unions, religious leaders, there was even a drunk man who tried to get on the stage.

The "Black Caucus in 2006

The Black Caucus is "skills bank and think tank." The concerns of the Black Caucus are shaped by the social conditions of African people in Trinidad & Tobago. The structure of the Black Caucus is influenced by the structure of the "Millions More Movement" which is the organization created around the tenth year anniversary of the Million Man March.

The major focus and mission of the Black Caucus is to contribute toward the development of Black people; mentally, physically and spiritually with a key focus on the education and empowerment of our people.

Black Caucus Achievements in 2006

*For the year 2006, from April to December, the Black Caucus has welcomed hundreds of guests on a monthly basis, and hosted many special events. In addition to weekly lectures and discussions hosted by Brother David Muhammad, guest speakers have included Professor Tony Martin, Professor Don Jacob, Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, Brother Shabaka Khambon, and Dr. Eugenia Springer. For African History Month; November the Black Caucus featured daily presentations of epic films such as Roots and Amistad and DVD presentations and documentaries on such great leaders and thinkers as Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, Minister Louis Farrakhan and Dr. Martin Luther King.

*The Black Caucus has began and intends to continue counseling, youth guidance, adult literacy and project consultation. We have met one on one with many bright, ambitious committed people who have shared a wealth of ideas.

*In 2006 the Black Caucus distributed free of charge close to 700 English Language and Science text books, as well as other literature and content.

*The Black Caucus Headquarters, open throughout the day welcomes brothers and sisters who would like to visit to engage in discussion, reading or viewing of video-recorded lectures and teachings. The Final Call Newspaper is also available weekly (also CDs, DVDs, Books)

*The Black Caucus has made local, regional, and international connections with friends and well-wishers among our people whom we look forward to maintaining a meaningful symbiotic relationship with.

*The Black Caucus has sold and bartered agricultural produce, and identified and encouraged African peoples involvement in planting and growing their own food.

*The Black Caucus is funded mainly by the Nation of Islam, as well as membership contributions. The Black Caucus needs your support.