After 3 years of hard work, from lobbying to construction, the Alaska Black Caucus’s Equity Center is nearing completion.
“This place, this building, this home, this sanctuary, this beacon of hope, is going to help us to, again, move the needle in a positive direction,” said Celeste Hodge Growden, President and CEO of the Alaska Black Caucus.
With completion nearing, the Alaska Black Caucus is hosting a ribbon cutting to provide the community with a status update on the Equity Center project.
“We’ve raised quite a bit of money, and to not provide a status update to our community, you know, leaves a lot of questions out there of what’s happening with the funding,” said Hodge Growden. “I think it’s important to let our community know that we are moving full speed ahead.”
The ribbon cutting will feature various dignitaries and supporters of the Equity Center project, including the assembly chair Chris Constant, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and state Senator Elvi Gray Jackson. While this is not a grand opening, as the center will not be fully operational for a few more weeks, there is so much in store for the community once the doors finally open.
“This is not just a building; this right here is a beacon of hope. It’s our sanctuary. It’s our safe place. It’s an opportunity to forge relationships, build trust with our communities,” said Hodge Growden.
According to Hodge Growden, everything and anything will be possible at the equity center.
“[The] Bipoc community groups, those that have struggled to try to find a place to land where they can conduct their business, entrepreneurs that are striving to get their business open and started, and Co-Op spaces for smaller businesses,” said Hodge Growden.
The center, which has raised nearly $3 million, aims to address community needs through various initiatives, including a commercial kitchen and health programs. While things are moving along for the center, there is still a $250,000 funding gap.
“We’ve still got a little ways to go, and we still have that funding gap that we’re trying to close, and so if anybody’s interested in helping us close that gap, please connect with the Alaska Black Caucus,” said Hodge Growden.
Despite the gap, Celeste Hodge Growden is hopeful that the caucus can close this gap with perseverance and the help and support of the community the center is made for. The ribbon cutting is planned for Saturday at 1 PM and will take place at the Equity Center’s location on 605 Barrow Street, Anchorage, Alaska.
