By Us, For Us

The Power of The Black Census Project Our Voices

The word census carries a complicated and painful significance for many black Americans. For generations this system of counting has been used to control, suppress, and erase Black voices. Black voices that are strong, powerful, bold, and demand for change. Today, the term census is being reclaimed and reinvisioned. Black Futures Lab has created a space where our voices are guaranteed to be heard. Across the United States, Black people continue to join together to build a nation that values us and our brilliance while continuing to set the course for what freedom must look like for this generation and the next to come. 

UCM had the opportunity to participate in one of Black Futures Lab’s Black Census Project transformative training sessions. The hands-on learning program is designed to teach individuals how to become changemakers. By equipping them with the skills to move beyond building connections and activating them into actionable next steps when initiating change within their community. 

The 2026 Black Census Project is the largest survey of Black people in America. Now in its third iteration, the project gives Black communities an opportunity to speak directly about the injustices affecting our lives and our futures. Whether it be political attacks, voter suppression, economic or environmental racism, the Black Census acts as a powerful tool for making our demands heard as a unit. 

Black Futures Lab is seeking to collect 300,000 responses by the end of 2026. The survey takes anywhere from 8-10 minutes and all data gathered from surveys will be used to prioritize issues, inform public policy, and shape an agenda created for Black people, by Black people. Take the survey today, because when power tries to erase us, we organize, we resist, and we make our voices heard.

Participate in The 2026 Black Census Project today!