Our Goal: Uplyff, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization based in Cleveland, OH that{jz} conducts research and strategic planning in order to guide the decision making and financing for products and services that enhance, promote and strengthen the{jz} identity of the Afrikan Diaspora.
Our Mission: to cultivate a community of scholars {jz}who are committed to {jz}shaping intellectual discourse and {jz}dialogue into action for the uplift of the Afrikan Diaspora [using the wisdom of our ancestors]. We pursue these ideals through the expansion of cultural identity with knowledge of self, the increase of spiritual healing to connect us to the source, and by working together to strengthen the economic prosperity and vitality of{jz} black owned businesses and artists. Ase'
Our Mission: to cultivate a community of scholars {jz}who are committed to {jz}shaping intellectual discourse and {jz}dialogue into action for the uplift of the Afrikan Diaspora [using the wisdom of our ancestors]. We pursue these ideals through the expansion of cultural identity with knowledge of self, the increase of spiritual healing to connect us to the source, and by working together to strengthen the economic prosperity and vitality of{jz} black owned businesses and artists. Ase'
Our Story: Uplyff, Inc was born out of an Afrikan-Centered {jz}Think Tank of Cleveland, OH, which contained residual elements from various activist and cultural arts groups such as the Griot Project. The Griot Project was a group of storytellers who united from a library program called Poetic Power. Poetic Power was named and created by then teen poet Monica Rutledge and the Griot Project performed and hosted arts education programs. {jz} Throughout each group and adventure the overarching mission has remained the same - the 'Uplift' of the Afrikan Diaspora. The Think Tank was founded by Ali Boyd, Shila Iris, Steve Fairley, Kenyatta Crisp,{jz} and Wulfgar Darkenwald, Jr. Over the years, the Think Tank and ultimately Uplyff, Inc. were influenced and educated through {jz}interactions with Jamie Upton of the legendary Timbuktu Book Store of Cleveland, OH; John Omar, the woodcarver; Performing Artist/Stage Writer Charles "Mississippi" Bevel; and Vegan enthusiast Erinn Sneed, as well as members/contributors "Coach" Lucas, Lawrence Clinckscale, Bianca Butts, Edward Hunter, Jade Pratt, Erica Chambers,{jz} Marcus Pittman and Halima Douglass.
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