BLK AND BRWN UNITED Action Campaign
Donation protected
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison
BACKGROUND
As we packed our bags for our first family holiday to India, a message titled, African Victims of Racism in India Share Their Stories appeared on my phone. The Al-Jazeera article detailed how street mobs in Noida, New Delhi, beat several African students in broad daylight. After 10-years of marriage to a South-Indian princess, I knew our Black x South Asian relationships were uncommon. But, I never consciously connected our lack of numbers to AntiBlackness.
When we returned from our holiday, I promised myself to connect with others who shared a similar experience. I posted a call to action across social media that inspired ten brave couples worldwide to share their stories. Today, our burgeoning community exceeds 16,000 beautiful souls.
Black x South Asian relationships are an inevitable feature and reality wherever the two communities coexist. However, these relationships are often plagued by stories of racism, classism, disownment, and Anti-Blackness rather than celebrated. Until now.
The BlindianProject is a globally crowdsourced, art-based documentary project. Our mission is to normalize Black x South Asian relationships while dismantling AntiBlackness within both of our communities. Referred to as the meeting place for Black x South Asian cultures, the #BlindianProject creates safe spaces that unite our cultures and inspire solidarity.
#BlkandBrwnUnited Action Campaign
"Finding this page has been like being underwater without realizing it and then breaking the surface all of a sudden. I didn't realize how much I needed to see more couples like us."
The #BlkandBrwnUnited Action Campaign is a social impact initiative that promotes solidarity amongst Black x South Asian communities.
The campaign goal is to raise £10,000 to kickstart a next-gen, Black x South Asian owned media company. Funding will also support the following activities:
#BlindianProject Coffee Book Design - £700
#BlindianProject Coffee Book Production - £1,500
Website Design £5,000
Content contributors - £2,800
REWARDS
£5.00 - #BlindianProject PDF e-Book (Untitled - Pre-order Feb 21')
Our first publication, and we couldn't be prouder. Step inside the lives of Black x South Asian couples as they shatter societal boundaries. Containing circa 40 full-color pgs of the stories we've grown to love, original artwork, and tongue in cheek humor.
£23.00 - #BlindianProject Book (Untitled - Pre-order Mar 21')
Our first publication, and we couldn't be prouder. There aren't nearly enough stories of our experiences available to make a considerable change. So, we've taken matters into our own hands. Containing circa 40 full-color pgs of the stories we've grown to love, original artwork, and tongue-in-cheek humor. Includes delivery worldwide
ABOUT ME
My name is Jonah Batambuze. I am a multidisciplinary creative, community builder, and founder of the #BlindianProject. My work focuses on uplifting marginalized voices through nuanced storytelling and creating spaces for cross-community interaction. You may have seen my work featured in outlets such as; BBC World News , ITV London , BBC Asian Radio, Fatherly , Homegrown India , The Week India , and others.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
-DONATE whatever you can. £5 £25 £50 £100 Anything helps!
-SHARE this campaign with your network and anyone else you think would like to get involved.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
What has the BlindianProject meant to me? I can sum up everything in one word, community.
For so long, I have felt like I was alone in this process, don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful partner and village/chosen family, but there was/is a part of the process they cannot fully understand. That all changed when I joined BlindinaProject. Even if they were strangers, I had a community; our stories, our vulnerability, and our values immediately created a sense of community. I felt automatically at ease and able to share my story, fears, and vulnerabilities with a community of "strangers."
It may sound crazy on the surface, but in reality, whether we knew it or not, we were all connected by our shared experience of choosing to date/marry outside our culture. With this community, I've felt understood, supported, and seen. This community has normalized Blindian relationships and acknowledged the trauma and loneliness we may have felt and continue to grapple with. I am thankful to this community for giving me the space to be 100% authentically me!
Take Care,
Priti
The #BlindianProject has given my husband and me a place where we feel like we belong. A place where we can relate to others stories and not feel alone. I have been searching for something like this for years, and I am glad I came across it.
This page helps couples in all stages of their relationship and is very inspiring, and I am proud to be a part of such a brave and strong community. We can't wait to share our story one day with you all.
Thank you for giving us a place to connect and support each other to the amazing couple that started this.
Manali
BACKGROUND
As we packed our bags for our first family holiday to India, a message titled, African Victims of Racism in India Share Their Stories appeared on my phone. The Al-Jazeera article detailed how street mobs in Noida, New Delhi, beat several African students in broad daylight. After 10-years of marriage to a South-Indian princess, I knew our Black x South Asian relationships were uncommon. But, I never consciously connected our lack of numbers to AntiBlackness.
When we returned from our holiday, I promised myself to connect with others who shared a similar experience. I posted a call to action across social media that inspired ten brave couples worldwide to share their stories. Today, our burgeoning community exceeds 16,000 beautiful souls.
Black x South Asian relationships are an inevitable feature and reality wherever the two communities coexist. However, these relationships are often plagued by stories of racism, classism, disownment, and Anti-Blackness rather than celebrated. Until now.
The BlindianProject is a globally crowdsourced, art-based documentary project. Our mission is to normalize Black x South Asian relationships while dismantling AntiBlackness within both of our communities. Referred to as the meeting place for Black x South Asian cultures, the #BlindianProject creates safe spaces that unite our cultures and inspire solidarity.
#BlkandBrwnUnited Action Campaign
"Finding this page has been like being underwater without realizing it and then breaking the surface all of a sudden. I didn't realize how much I needed to see more couples like us."
The #BlkandBrwnUnited Action Campaign is a social impact initiative that promotes solidarity amongst Black x South Asian communities.
The campaign goal is to raise £10,000 to kickstart a next-gen, Black x South Asian owned media company. Funding will also support the following activities:
#BlindianProject Coffee Book Design - £700
#BlindianProject Coffee Book Production - £1,500
Website Design £5,000
Content contributors - £2,800
REWARDS
£5.00 - #BlindianProject PDF e-Book (Untitled - Pre-order Feb 21')
Our first publication, and we couldn't be prouder. Step inside the lives of Black x South Asian couples as they shatter societal boundaries. Containing circa 40 full-color pgs of the stories we've grown to love, original artwork, and tongue in cheek humor.
£23.00 - #BlindianProject Book (Untitled - Pre-order Mar 21')
Our first publication, and we couldn't be prouder. There aren't nearly enough stories of our experiences available to make a considerable change. So, we've taken matters into our own hands. Containing circa 40 full-color pgs of the stories we've grown to love, original artwork, and tongue-in-cheek humor. Includes delivery worldwide
ABOUT ME
My name is Jonah Batambuze. I am a multidisciplinary creative, community builder, and founder of the #BlindianProject. My work focuses on uplifting marginalized voices through nuanced storytelling and creating spaces for cross-community interaction. You may have seen my work featured in outlets such as; BBC World News , ITV London , BBC Asian Radio, Fatherly , Homegrown India , The Week India , and others.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
-DONATE whatever you can. £5 £25 £50 £100 Anything helps!
-SHARE this campaign with your network and anyone else you think would like to get involved.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
What has the BlindianProject meant to me? I can sum up everything in one word, community.
For so long, I have felt like I was alone in this process, don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful partner and village/chosen family, but there was/is a part of the process they cannot fully understand. That all changed when I joined BlindinaProject. Even if they were strangers, I had a community; our stories, our vulnerability, and our values immediately created a sense of community. I felt automatically at ease and able to share my story, fears, and vulnerabilities with a community of "strangers."
It may sound crazy on the surface, but in reality, whether we knew it or not, we were all connected by our shared experience of choosing to date/marry outside our culture. With this community, I've felt understood, supported, and seen. This community has normalized Blindian relationships and acknowledged the trauma and loneliness we may have felt and continue to grapple with. I am thankful to this community for giving me the space to be 100% authentically me!
Take Care,
Priti
The #BlindianProject has given my husband and me a place where we feel like we belong. A place where we can relate to others stories and not feel alone. I have been searching for something like this for years, and I am glad I came across it.
This page helps couples in all stages of their relationship and is very inspiring, and I am proud to be a part of such a brave and strong community. We can't wait to share our story one day with you all.
Thank you for giving us a place to connect and support each other to the amazing couple that started this.
Manali
Organizer
Jonah Batambuze
Organizer