HOUSTON- On May 21, at 5:00 pm at 2428 Southmore Blvd. Houston, Texas the National Black United Front – Houston Chapter (NBUF) will host a community Asante Sana (thank you) celebrating the pay off of its building.  Join us for food, entertainment and speakers.From 1980 through 1995 NBUF-Houston served the community utilizing various meeting locations including: the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center and donated office space and home space. On April 26, 1997, NBUF opened its doors to the community for the first time at the Southmore location.   For a two year period from 1995-1997 under the leadership and direction of Ishman (Imhotep) Hunter and Akua Fayette NBUF members invested 20,000 volunteer hours in the total rehabilitation of the building on Southmore.
On average ten to fifteen committed people transformed an abandoned water damaged former drug den into a facility for community service.  Stirred by the principle of Self-Determination NBUF members spent evenings and weekends working in every capacity of remodeling from carpentry, flooring, plumbing, electrical, hauling, painting and interior design. In work areas that required outside expertise African In America contractors were utilized specifically roofing, plumbing and electricity.

The building front with upgrades

Finally, in 1997 members proclaimed the rumored former “Crack House” was now a Black House.  Over the years the NBUF building has provided meeting and organizing space for numerous groups, projects, causes and efforts. The facility has been used for storage and distribution of humanitarian aid following Allison, Katrina, Ike and the earthquake in Haiti.  A number of community food drives have also been implemented at the site.

The building after remodeling

Providing people of African descent with proper historical and cultural information through a library, study circle and guest speakers have been a staple of the organization.  Local, national and international activists, organizers, scholars, revolutionaries, artist and spiritualist have been speakers at the Southmore location or events organized by NBUF throughout the city.  Mentoring programs and youth education projects have found a home at the NBUF Houston building.  NBUF consistently promotes independent grassroots economics through African markets and patronage of conscience African In American businesses. Organizing efforts around a host of issues takes place in the facility including: neighborhood clean ups, against police brutality, community memorials and numerous social justice causes.  NBUF Houston host several annual activities: February –Unsung Heroes/Sheroes, May – Self-Determination Weekend/Malcolm X Birthday, June – Shaka Sankofa (Gary Graham) Remembrance/Support for Political Prisoners, October – Sankofa: Caravan To The Ancestors, December – Kwanzaa Celebration. The pay off the mortgage to Unity Bank,  the only African -American bank in Texas, represents a victory for the people.  A core group of committed people has seen this project through from remodeling through payoff, seventeen years of serious sacrifice.  
That core group has received wide support from community residents, guest speakers, guest artist, local businesses, local media, a variety of community organizations and community servants that have offered their skills and resources to the organization for little or no compensation.  Through member contributions, community donations, sale of products and community events we have accomplished this milestone. For all of those that have supported this worthy effort we say Asante Sana! (Thank You).  Please join us for the community celebration as we share our vision for greater community service in the future.