Greetings We Dream in Black Family,
As 2024 comes to a close, We Dream in Black (WeDiB) wants to take a moment to honor you – the backbone of our domestic worker movement, the voice of our communities, and the heart of the work we do. This year has been one for the books, and none of it would have been possible without your continued support, commitment, power, and resilience.
In October, we gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, for the We Dream in Black 2024 Organizing Institute, aptly titled Strength of a Woman, a sacred space where healing, learning, and joy flourished. Together, we celebrated our culture, embraced our collective power, and honored the lives that paved the way for our movement.
Some of our most memorable moments included:
- Honoring Dorothy Bolden’s Legacy: Celebrating her 100th birthday and spending time with her family reminded us that the fight for justice and dignity for domestic workers is deeply rooted in our history and we are here to carry that torch forward.
- Remembering Ayanna Smith: In July our dear beloved sister departed and we are committed to sharing her stories. Spending time with her family, and visiting her mural filled us with pride and determination to keep Ayanna’s legacy alive in every step we take toward transformative change.
- Inspiration from Stacey Abrams: Her words inspired us to continue shaping a future where Black domestic workers are not just heard but celebrated for the vital role we play in society and at the ballot box.
We left Atlanta with full hearts, renewed purpose, and an unshakable commitment to keep building our collective power across the diaspora.
This year also brought other milestones that uplifted our community and deepened our organizing efforts:
- Nanny Training Program Pilot: We equipped nannies with skills and resources to enhance their work and also strengthen their rights and advocate for better conditions.
- Monday Night Live: These weekly gatherings are a vibrant space for connection, learning, and supporting each other. Together, we laughed, learned, and leaned on one another as a pillar of strength and community.
- New Member Orientation: We welcomed new members to We Dream in Black as we are committed to building a stronger, more united community for Black domestic workers.
- Healing Space: Grief is often unexpected and crippling, our We Dream in Black community witnessed this after Ayanna’s passing. We Dream in Black leaned into our community of Healers to hold space for our members and staff as we navigated our emotions
- Legacy of Care: A celebration of the legacy and work of Black domestic workers in North Carolina and Georgia. The strikingly beautiful worker portraits captured their poised images for us to see the dignity and resilience of Black domestic workers.
As we close out 2024, let us carry the spirit of “Strength of a Woman” into everything we do in 2025. Whether we’re advocating for our rights, supporting each other through challenges, or celebrating our victories, let’s continue to show the world what Black domestic workers can achieve when we come together.
Thank you for your strength, your love, your commitment and your belief in this movement.
We are honored to stand tall with you, and we are excited to see what we accomplish next year together.
Black Love and solidarity,
Allison Julien
We Dream in Black Director
National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA)