Black Non-Government Organizations in New York

Based in Brooklyn, NY, the Audre Lorde Project serves as a home base for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color seeking to organize, support one another, and advocate for their communities. Established in 1994 out of a collective vision to address the unique challenges facing LGBTSTGNC People of Color, the organization has become a cornerstone of community care and resistance in New York City. The Audre Lorde Project is deeply rooted in the principle of struggling across differences—bringing together people of African, Black Caribbean, Arab, Asian Pacific Islander, Latinx, and Native/Indigenous descent to build solidarity around shared experiences of oppression and liberation. Committed to centering women's leadership and perspectives throughout its structure and work, the organization actively challenges the historic role of sexism that has undermined community strength. The Audre Lorde Project believes that the most powerful organizing emerges when communities themselves drive decision-making and shape the programs that serve them. Named in honor of the visionary Black lesbian poet and activist Audre Lorde, the organization embodies her legacy of intersectional resistance and community care. Through its work in Brooklyn and across the five boroughs, the Audre Lorde Project remains dedicated to creating transformative spaces where LGBTSTGNC People of Color can heal, organize, and collectively build toward a more just world.

Since its founding in 1910, the National Urban League has stood as a historic beacon for civil rights advancement and community empowerment, with its headquarters located in New York, NY. The organization's century-long commitment reflects a deep understanding of the systemic barriers facing African Americans and other marginalized groups, combined with a proven track record of creating meaningful change. At its core, the National Urban League's mission centers on helping individuals in underserved communities achieve true social parity, economic self-reliance, and full civil rights participation. Operating from New York, NY, the League builds relationships across multiple sectors—from grassroots community leaders to corporate partners and policymakers—recognizing that lasting progress requires collaboration and shared commitment. This relational approach distinguishes the Urban League as a trusted advocate and partner for communities seeking equitable development. The organization's work spans interconnected areas of human development and community well-being: education, workforce readiness, housing stability, entrepreneurial opportunity, health equity, and quality of life enhancement. Rather than viewing these as separate challenges, the National Urban League addresses them as interconnected elements of a person's ability to thrive. This holistic perspective, grounded in decades of community engagement and civil rights leadership, positions the organization as a vital force for advancing dignity, opportunity, and justice for all.

Serving the Bronx, NY community, Black Alliance for Peace is rooted in the historic traditions of Black radical movements that have long fought for peace, self-determination, and freedom from oppression. The organization creates a welcoming platform where community members, organizations, and activists can connect, collaborate, and work collectively toward shared liberation goals. Black Alliance for Peace understands that thriving communities require spaces where people feel safe, respected, and empowered to express their full selves while addressing systemic challenges. The organization's mission centers on recapturing the anti-war and anti-imperialist positions that have defined Black struggle, bringing these principles into contemporary organizing work in the Bronx. Through educational activities and movement support, Black Alliance for Peace builds community knowledge about the connections between domestic militarization, structural racism, and global U.S. imperialism. Members work together to oppose police violence and state repression while challenging destructive foreign policies that destabilize communities worldwide. The organization values unity, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, and creative solutions to community challenges. Black Alliance for Peace invites Bronx residents and beyond to join in building a community where Black people are empowered to thrive, where peace is prioritized over war, and where collective action creates meaningful social transformation rooted in historical wisdom and contemporary vision.

Based in Brooklyn, NY, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration serves as a vital organizing hub for African American and Black immigrant communities seeking to advance their collective power and vision for justice. BAJI's work is rooted in the belief that grassroots organizing, combined with strategic coalition-building, can transform systems and create lasting social change. The organization educates and engages community members through vibrant dialogues that explore the intersections of race, identity, migration, and globalization—topics central to the lived experiences of Black communities. With organizing committees active in New York, Georgia, California, and Florida, and staff presence in Texas and Minnesota, BAJI demonstrates a deep commitment to building sustained relationships across multiple regions. The organization recognizes the prophetic power of faith communities and actively works to harness their voice in the struggle for racial justice. BAJI's approach combines capacity-building with direct action, providing training and technical assistance to partner organizations while simultaneously initiating campaigns that push for systemic change. By fostering connections between diverse segments of the Black diaspora and supporting grassroots leaders, BAJI creates the conditions for community members to discover their own power and agency. The organization's presence in Brooklyn and across the country reflects its understanding that racial justice requires coordinated, sustained effort rooted in authentic community relationships and shared vision for transformation.