The campaign began as the People’s Budget Committee, a group committed to influencing the Massachusetts state budget. Over time, it became clear that working within existing structures was not enough. The budget process—and the broader political system in Massachusetts—limits the power and voice of everyday people, especially those most impacted by injustice.

In September 2024, leaders came together and made a strategic shift: instead of trying to influence decisions from the outside, we committed to building the power to set the agenda ourselves.

A new team of leaders—primarily Black and Afro-Latino—stepped forward to carry this vision. Together, they committed to a long-term strategy rooted in Black-led organizing and the belief that those most impacted must lead the way in shaping solutions.

From that, the Black Liberation Agenda (BLA) was born.

The campaign set a bold goal: to listen directly to 1% of the Black population in Massachusetts—thousands of people—to understand their lived experiences, priorities, and vision for the future.

The strategy is intentional and sequenced:

• Listen first: Gather stories and insights from Black residents to define the current reality

• Build a shared analysis: Use that data to tell a truthful, community-rooted story of the state

• Expand the circle: Engage a broader, multiracial demographic to demonstrate our interconnectedness

• Research pathways to action: Identify the most strategic ways to turn priorities into policy and systems change

• Advance a platform: Develop and move a community-authored agenda that brings us closer to the world as it should be

At its core, this campaign is about shifting power—so that the people most impacted by injustice are not just consulted, but are leading, deciding, and governing.

Because the goal is not just reform.

It is to build a future where our systems reflect the dignity, wisdom, and needs of all people—and where equity is not aspirational, but real.