Requests for Funds to Support Research

Here requests for grants to conduct research are welcome. The Foundation has no specific requirements for the structure of such a request other than that it should include a project description (specifying the what, where, when, who, how, why of each project), the proposed duration of the grant (i.e. when will it begin and when will it end), a detailed budget, and a statement dealing with the competence of the researcher to successfully complete the project. The BLAC foundation is presently offering an annual award of $500 for research in fields it deems of interest. To qualify for funding an applicant must submit a paper to www.blacfoundation.org which (if acceptable) will be posted under "papers submitted". The grant recipient will receive $350 to conduct the research (as described in his/her application). In order to receive the remaining $150 the applicant must submit a paper (within one year after the completion of the research) dealing with the results of the project for which the award was made. His/her paper will be posted under papers submitted and the applicant will receive the title of "blacfellow" (for which see definitions) and become elgible for all privilidges thereof. The winner of this years award (2009 / 2010) is Eddie Faulk who will be conducting research on Black  American martial arts in the Carolinas. All requests for funds should be emailed to: edpowe@blacfoundation.org, or hard copies can be mailed to:

Ed Powe
8 Pope Road
Paterson, NJ 07514

1. The C.A.R. Trust of Meenakshipatti, Tamil Nadu, India

The C.A.R. (Children & Adolescents Reconstruction) Trust was founded by V. Erulan on July 12 th, 2007 in Meenakshipatti (Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India) to raise funds for its various programs that have been in operation for the past five years. Erulan and some ten associates have been working with approximately 300 children and adolescents in Meenakshipatti and neighboring villages to: 1) instill in them a zeal for academic learning; 2) help develop their bodies and minds; and 3) otherwise prepare them for productive roles in adulthood.

Among the programs presently offered are training in: 1) yoga (to promote health, longevity, and concentration, as well as to unify body and mind; 2) silambam (Tamil stick-fighting) and karate to build courage and self confidence; 3) drama and dance; 4) academic tuition; and 5) other mind-building activities.

[Some children of Meenakshipatti playing Zulu Chess]

All these offerings are provided free of charge and the teachers receive no financial remuneration for their services.

Funding is currently being sought to help the children of the communities of Meenakshipatti and neighboring villages to acquire school supplies and uniforms as well as assistance in the payment of school fees all of which total a mere $40 a year per child.

Those interested in sponsoring a child or otherwise help the CAR Trust realize its noble aims should contact V. Erulan

s/o V. Veeranan

2/104 K. Meenakshipatti ( East Street)

Vadapalanji (Post)

Thirumangalam (T.K.)

Madurai (Dt)

Pin – 625 021

Tamil Nadu

India

He can also be contacted by e-mail at: erulan_sky@yahoo.co.in or erulansky@gmail.com

Or by mobile telephone at either 9942241826 or 9942542343

[ Donations: On January 16 th, 2008, the CAR Trust was given the sum of $40 by Edward Powe, on behalf of the BLAC Foundation, in order to better pursue its work with the children of Meenakshipatti. In January 2009, the BLAC Foundation donated an additional $60 to CAR to pursue its aims. At its August 15th , 2010 meeting the BLAC Foundation Board of Directors  voted to award $100 a year to the CAR Foundation for the next five years. See the Meenakshipatti Photo Gallery for a better idea of what the village looks like.]

2. O Grupo de Capoeira Libertação

O Grupo de Capoeira Libertação is a non-profit NGO (non-governmental organization) composed of young practitioners of the art of Capoeira. Founded in the year 2000 by Jeremias José Ferreira (alias Pitinhas), the group’s instructor. The organization has as its major objective the promotion of Capoeira, the reduction of delinquency, and the molding of youth into confident self-respecting citizens of Mozambique who will hopefully make a positive contribution to society and the progress of the nation.  The group presently serves over 125 youths in 6 different locations (see the article Capoeira Libertação under papers submitted / black martial arts for details) and is currently planning a series of events and workshops designed to instill pride and self esteem in orphans and other marginalized youths.

The cost of the program per child is approximately $35 for three events and it is deemed money well spent (see further information and a detailed budget in the aforementioned article). For those interested in funding one or more children (see additional photos in our Capoeira Libertação photo gallery) please feel free to contact Jeremias José Ferreira (Pintinhas) at capoeira_libertacao2@yahoo.com.br (note that there is an underscore between capoeira and libertacao). He can also be reached by telephone at either  845015365 or 824115984. The mailing address is:

Jeremias José Ferreira
Avenida Maguiguana
Predio #110, 2 andar
Maputo, Mozambique

3. Trovoada da Paz

According to Zeca Jose Chirindza Paulo,  this dance group from Mozambique was founded in 1992. immediately after the war agianst colonial Portugal,  by his grandparents who fought as guerillas. Zeca, himself, entered the group at the age of four, when his father (Jose Batista Scherindza) was its head. In 2010 Zeca replaced his father as group leader which by then did a new kind of Xigubo complete with war songs in Shangani and Zulu.  The group (which can be seen on three of our videos)  presently consists of 9 males and 7 females and is in search of a  patron  (sponsor) to enable them to demonstrate their skills to a wider audience. Zeca can be contacted by phone in Maputo at 842580945 or 825551799. The group received a  contribution from the BLAC Foundation in 2010 to repair instruments and buy additional uniforms.