Umoja Village

In an effort to promote economic and small/minority business development, Umoja Village is proud to join the partnership to sponsor the Aiken Business Coalition Entrepreneurship Program Cohort #2. This program exists to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with training and the micro grants & loans needed to cultivate and grow successful businesses.

Join us for the kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, 6 p.m., at the Lessie B. Price Senior & Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Avenue, NW, in Aiken.

To register to attend, visit mygabc.org/gabcc-events. More details about the program can be found at www.aikenbcep.org

As National Black Business Month nears a close, it feels extra special that we were able to support the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce at their 4th Annual CSRA Black Business Summit. Our CEO & Co-founder, Donna M Wesby, enjoyed serving as a guest panelist. Let’s continue to support Black-owned businesses and celebrate the role they play in our economy.

Use your voice! If you will be 18 or older on Election Day and haven’t registered to vote yet, the time is now! If you already registered, be sure to encourage others in your family, church, and neighborhood to register as well. Visit scvotes.gov for more information!

“We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.” - Malcolm X
Source: Getty

Our community calendar brings local events to your fingertips. Check out https://www.umojavillage.com/community-calendar-events regularly to stay current and in the know. If you're hosting an event, let us know so that we can help you spread the word.

We're counting down the days until Shoutfest Unityfest! Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs, vendor money, favorite tambourines, and your praise and worship buddies too! Special thanks to Chandler Law Firm and all our sponsors for helping to bring the largest, free outdoor gospel festival in the CSRA back once again. If you'd like to be a vendor, be sure to register before the Sept. 9th deadline. Spread the word, and get ready for your blessing!

Financial donations of any size help fund Umoja Village’s mission and efforts. Make an impact today by donating through our website, via Cashapp, or by giving us a call to submit cash, check, or money order. It’s easy, secure, tax-deductible, and you’ll feel good for making a difference!

This Day in History: At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, considered by many to be the greatest female athlete ever, won the heptathlon, becoming the first person to win the event in consecutive Games. Go Team USA!

People near and far are talking about this year’s Shoutfest Unityfest. Saturday, October 19th just can’t get here quick enough! If you’ll be coming from out of town and are looking for a place to stay, check out this list of accommodations at www.VisitAikenSC.com/stay.

Mark your calendars! We are proud to announce our Unity Weekend kick-off event, the very first One Love One Heart for Reconciliation Unity Seminar. This event will bring together people from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and strengthen bonds. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community founded on the principles of unity and togetherness.

Your voice matters. Be ready to use it. Register to vote online at vote.gov or in person at the voter registration office. Don't wait until the last minute to register. If you need help, let us know, and we'll make sure you get the help you need.

Aiken Gets Financially Fit:
Join us at the Aiken County Public Library on Saturday, July 27th from 12-2pm as we co-sponsor this event along with Certified Financial Planner and subject matter expert Ms. Jackie Cummings Koski! Jackie is an amazing Black woman from Aiken County who retired in her 40s with over a million dollars by putting into practice the information compiled in her latest book, "F.I.R.E. for Dummies: Financial Independence, Retire Early." Share with a friend, and register today at the link below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11396f-fIQIPp56P8owGbmS8gwap-1SqTO5nRQ1ShE-8/viewform?pli=1&edit_requested=true&urp=gmail_link

works wonders. Try it out!

Attention all vendors: There's just a few hours left to catch our early bird discount for this year's Shoutfest Unityfest. If you'd like to be a vendor, call our resource center right now! 803-226-0150. The vendor and sponsorship forms are on our UmojaVillage.com website, but the discount ends today. Don't miss out!

Hi, UV Family! Here’s a reminder that Friday, July 12th is the deadline for Shoutfest 2024’s early bird rate vendor registration. Register now before the rates increase! Visit UmojaVillage.com to view the vendor packages and secure your spot today!

Happy Independence Day! We hope you have a safe and joyous 4th!

Hi, Friends! We are in need of silent auction items to be donated for our 2nd Annual Unity Golf Tournament taking place in October. If you would like to give, please call Umoja Village, 803-226-0150, or drop off items at 831 Hayne Ave., SW in Aiken.
Thanks for your support.

Umoja Village strives for UNITY and advocates for the EMPOWERMENT of marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved populations in our community.

How? One way is by doing all we can to hold ourselves AND our leaders and elected officials accountable. Let’s work together to ensure a high quality of life for us all!

At this year’s Shoutfest Unityfest, we are going to praise and worship like never before! Bring the whole family and get ready for your blessing! We are still accepting vendors and sponsors, so act fast. Visit UmojaVillage.com for more info.

June 19th is a special day for Umoja Village. Not only is it Juneteenth, the day in which we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, but it’s also the day in which our founders, Don Wesby and Donna M Wesby, started our organization! We are so thankful for their vision and their commitment to unity in our community! Celebrate this special day with us at Eudora Wildlife Safari Park from 10am - 2pm. It’s going to be a WILD time! Happy Juneteenth!

We are geared up for tomorrow’s Founders Day/Juneteenth Celebration Eudora Wildlife Safari Park. In case you missed us the other day on The Mix WRDW, check out the link and learn more about tomorrow’s event! See you there!

https://www.wrdw.com/video/2024/06/14/umoja-founders-day-juneteenth-celebration/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1GZgeZNtpg6BRj3jaKgCraCpgE9vEZUbU4IRzOL7PNsTID76wipZuFit8_aem_yqqE3kK4c-yksJ1Ra5K-GQ

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads, not yet dads, stepdads, adoptive dads, grandads, God-dads, dads who are no longer with us, and dads at heart. Thanks for your leadership, your love, and your wisdom. We appreciate you.

Spread the word! Free Community Baby Shower for new and expecting moms! 🌸👶 Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Rural Health Services, 1000 Clyburn Place, Aiken, SC 29801.

We're excited to team up with Rural Health Services, Inc.and Bundles of Joy -Diaper Bank of the Lowcountry to host a free Community Baby Shower for new and expecting moms! 🌸👶 Join us on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Rural Health Services, 1000 Clyburn Place, Aiken, SC 29801. We’ll be providing free diapers, wipes, diaper bags and baby supplies. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support new beginnings!

We are excited about our Founders Day/Juneteenth celebration at Eudora Wildlife Safari Park! Join us next Wednesday, June 19 from 10 am - 2 pm for a fun-filled day of culture, entertainment, and wildlife. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Umoja Village and our mission to encourage unity and empowerment in the CSRA!