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STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

This spring and summer, BlackRock, in partnership with The Leadership Institute for Compassionate Changemaking, is creating a new, community-driven Strategic Plan that will guide its operations and programming for the next 4-5 years. 

Electronic feedback will be accepted through August 1! 

 

If you would like to provide feedback to guide BlackRock’s planning process, please complete the feedback form below or contact Dana Parsons (dana.peragallo@gmail.com; 302.841.7257) to set up a phone, virtual, or in-person conversation.

Process Outcomes

  • Collect and distill comprehensive and inclusive feedback and needs from the region for BlackRock to use as the foundation of the strategic plan and begin a meaningful community engagement process. 

  • Set BlackRock up for financial sustainability by striving to center its value, work, and platform as a cornerstone of the community. 

  • Center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color throughout the process as an embedded commitment to antiracism. 

  • Nurture spaces of exchange for the regional creative community for continued collaboration.

  • Practice and model compensatory exchange within communities by curating events and meetings that recognize the time and energy of sharing thoughts and ideas and compensate material benefit to participants as a part of the process. 

Strategic Plan Timeline

December 2023

Initial Meeting with Leadership: Goals of the Process, Guiding Frameworks, Scheduling

January 2024

Meeting with Executive Committee, Staff Leadership, Think Tank (Working Group), and Full Board: Process Collaboration and Planning with a collective vision

Feb - May 2024

Coordinate marketing points of contact and materials to center stakeholders in the planned Community Gathering Event and bring folks in that represent the community.

May

2024

Engages community stakeholders in a mutually beneficial interaction where we’re in community with one another and the product is mirrored in the process 

June - July 2024

Engage additional stakeholders for feedback, in alignment with the project goals, in small groups and one-on-one conversations. 

Engage partner organizations in the region for feedback and collaborative visioning.

November 2024

Board approval of Strategic Plan and development of Implementation Timeline to break down accountability and actions of the Plan

October 2024

Staff and Board Retreat 2 to finalize draft Plan.
Think Tank reviews final draft and makes any additional edits.

September 2024

Staff and Board Retreat 1 to ideate, dialogue about, and establish a draft Plan.

August

2024

Analysis and culmination of community-wide feedback to serve as the foundation for the creation of the Strategic Plan. 

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MAY 11, 2024 | 12-4PM

12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, MD 20874

STRATEGIC COMMUNITY GATHERING

Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and come celebrate the power of art and community at BlackRock Center for the Arts. From 3-4PM, join us for a facilitated talkback session where your feedback will help shape the future of BlackRock. Your ideas and insights will guide us through our strategic planning process, ensuring that we continue to serve and inspire our community in the best possible way.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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OUTDOOR ARTISANS MARKET!

BlackRock's Artisan Markets are back! With your favorite vendors who specialize in hand crafted, jewelry, candles, and more, you can join us monthly for your handmade fix. Shop local, shop small, shop art! If you are interested in vending, please reach out to markets@blackrockcenter.org.

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SNACKS & DRINKS!

Enjoy the spring vibes of the outdoor performances and artisans market to the max with a refreshing lemonade or some freshly popped buttery popcorn at our concessions tent! From sodas to sangria, we'll have something for everyone.

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FREE LIVE PERFORMANCES!

We are thrilled to have Kuchipudi Dance Academy, Free Theatre, and More Than a Model join us on our Outdoor Stage! In between performances, DJ Ty will keep the good vibes going.

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FREE ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS!

BlackRock Teaching Artists will man our arts and crafts tables with fun activities for all budding artists, and Kuchipudi Dance Academy will hold a dance workshop open to all!

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FACILITATED TALKBACK

Join us in our Mainstage from 3-4PM for a facilitated talkback session and give us your feedback! Help us center community voices as the future of BlackRock.

MEET THE VENDORS!

AhhCandles

BrieMade

Major Woodworks

Freebird Fancies

Sunshine Creamery Inc

Calm Waters Pottery

MeloGravity and Family Customs LLC 

Nikki B's Sweet Treats

Purple Air Frog Arts

Luminette's Sundry Shop

Handmade bags/ maria Oliveira

2 Girls and a Glue Gun

Something About Art and Design

J's Art and Letters

Bueno Crafts

Tenth Ward Distillery

Kush

The Third Eye Afrocentric Art

Lugarts

Meet Love Jewelry

Skymoon Jewelry and Treasures

Mana Stones

Lemlemcrafts

Rooted In Photography by Lily Doshi 

MING Essentials

Ellie's Yarn World

Renew by Lisa

BellaLilly06 Crochet

Juss Rite Creations

Something About Art and Design

Following the event on May 11, the team will connect with smaller groups and individual stakeholders, to ensure alignment with the goals of the process before distilling a final report of community-wide feedback that will be centered in the Strategic Plan. 

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