B.U.I.L.D. Celebrates a Decade of Brotherhood and Community Impact
Photos by Jordan Somers
Recently, on The Day with Trae, André Franklin joined guest host Deaunte Damper to talk about B.U.I.L.D., Brothers United In Leadership Development. Franklin is a founding member of B.U.I.L.D., a grassroots organization with the vision that Black men are empowered leaders and mentors who make positive change in our community by instilling pride, hope, perseverance in Black men.
“We have a very simple mission,” Franklin said. “Our main focus is on Black men and boys, we know there's a lot of intersectionality with that. So we do a lot of work, civic engagement, volunteer opportunities, Black joy type events within the Black community.”
B.U.I.L.D. is currently working with the Office of Labor Standards, to make sure that people know their rights when they're working in contracting within the city of Seattle.
“They're trying to really make sure that we have opportunities for people to really understand and navigate systems,” Franklin said.
B.U.I.L.D. partnered with the Office of Labor Standards around their business initiatives, along with community engagement.
“We're working with an amazing team over there to make sure that the Black community knows what their labor rights are, when they're in Seattle, but also to talk a little bit about the 10 years we celebrated building community,” Franklin said.
B.U.I.L.D. is exclusively led by Black men, their foundation is to focus on having relationships with one another. After 10 years, the brotherhood has been repaired, resilient, and is continuing to make sure that they’re able to make things happen.
“Pre COVID, we were doing a lot of men's groups,” Franklin said. “Then during COVID, we had to shift and we're doing things virtually. So now we're having weekly check-ins. It's really important to create space in a generation at all ages. So we have teenagers, preteens, you know, adults into their 70s.”
The brotherhood boasts a rich spectrum of ages, embracing diversity within its ranks.
“Some folks went to college, some people didn't, and some people were incarcerated, some people didn't,” Franklin said. “Some people have a lot of different diversity within that. So we want to make sure that we're creating a safe space that encompasses all of what it means to be a Black man and boys.”
Franklin shared an update on The Intergenerational Breakfast Series, known for its inclusive approach to honoring community leaders, has found a new home at X on Stage after outgrowing its previous venue, Classic Eats.
“We want to be intentional in creating a space so we're kicking it back off getting back in person we were doing these breakfasts,” Franklin said.
As the brotherhood continues in person, they are in their fourth year of honoring Black women for their outstanding contributions to the community.
“Each of us honor two women who've impacted us personally, who are also doing community work. So it's like they're mothering in the community,” Franklin said. “We've honored a number of women that are doing amazing things in the community.”
Looking ahead, Franklin announced the upcoming seventh annual Father's Day event, mirroring the format of honoring individuals who have made a personal and communal impact. Additionally, plans for a block party in July, in partnership with the Columbia City BeatWalk, promise a vibrant celebration of community spirit.
Franklin also shared an update regarding the revamp of the Bill Black Wealth Initiative, designed to address historical disparities in wealth building among Black communities.
“A lot of Black folks have been excluded from wealth building opportunities, or understanding how wealth in schools aren't really teaching it to anybody, that the families don't have the capacity or know how to teach it,” Franklin said. “We tried to create an environment. So we've injected money and resources into Black lead businesses and organizations that may be formalized or not.”
Through a combination of financial support for Black-led businesses and educational resources, the initiative aims to empower and uplift marginalized entrepreneurs.
“Being able to have other brothers who've been through similar situations has been very helpful and helped me not stress about you know, some of those some of those things,” Franklin said.
For those who want to learn more about B.U.I.L.D. and the brotherhood, visit build206.com.
For more updates on organizations uplifting the community in Seattle, tune into Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. and with Deaunte on We Live In Color every Thursday at 8 pm. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
