African American Community Service Agency
About African American Community Service Agency
Founded in 2006 in response to urgent calls for action from Black activists in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) has grown into a vital force for racial and immigrant justice serving communities throughout the country, including San Jose, California. The organization was born from the collaborative vision of Rev. Kelvin Sauls, a South African immigrant, and Rev. Phillip Lawson, a longtime Civil Rights leader, who recognized the urgent need to unite African American and Black immigrant voices in the struggle against systemic racism and discriminatory immigration policies. BAJI's mission centers on the belief that a thriving multiracial democracy requires racial, social, and economic justice for all, with particular focus on how Black immigrants from Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America face unique challenges including racial discrimination, disproportionate detention and deportation rates, and economic disparities despite high education levels. The organization creates safe, communal spaces through initiatives like the Africa Diaspora Dialogues, where African Americans and Black immigrants come together to build understanding, challenge stereotypes, and discover shared pathways toward liberation. By bringing Black voices together as leaders in the fight against structural racism, BAJI demonstrates that African Americans and Black immigrants are stronger together. The organization's commitment to community-centered work, rooted in the long history of Black resistance and the gains of the Civil Rights Movement, makes it an essential partner for those seeking justice, equity, and dignity for all people.