We reprint Ajamu Baraka’s remarks at the 20th anniversary celebration for Black Agenda Report, New York City, November 7, 2026.
All power to the people.
You know, this is more than just a slogan. It is something that we have understood for quite some time that we had to achieve, and that's why Glen always reminded us of that, and that's why today we continue with that process. The Black Agenda Report is part of that process. We cannot build power without having built consciousness, and that process of building consciousness is, in fact, a struggle.
It means we have to bring new information and new analysis. It means that for us to be able to organize, we have to have a cutting-edge analysis that's informed by the most advanced information that exists. Is the responsibility of the Black Agenda Report, that indeed is the responsibility of all of us in this room, because I look around and I see comrades, revolutionaries who've been involved in this work for decades, some a little shorter, but nevertheless just as effective, because coming together like this is part of what is needed for the soul, for the spirit. Because we are in a fight, a fight for existence, and that's what makes this mission today even more important, comrades, because we are going through a period like no other period in the history of this country.
There's not going to be any return back to so-called normality, because we are in the midst of a consolidating fascism, and the only way we're going to be able to put a break or to reduce the period of fascism, is through intensive organization. And again, we can't build organization without information and knowledge. So the task. of the Black Agenda Report, all of our tasks have to be absolutely clear. My role here at the Black Agenda Report is relatively minor. I try to support the work, the real work that Margaret and Jemima engage in, because they're the real editors. You know, I could barely put a few things together. You know, I was a high school dropout that went back to school, but there's certain skills I never really picked up that much. But it's been a joy working with these sisters. It's been a joy working with the Black Agenda Report. When I was liberated from my last professional position, this is like 2011, the first thing I did was I got in contact with Glen, and I asked Glen, "Can I be a part of this process?" Because I recognized and knew at that point that the Black Agenda Report was doing cutting-edge work, and he allowed me, like he did with Jemima, to experiment, to learn how to write correctly, to move away from some of the heavy academic-oriented writing that I was doing, and in the process, I got a little bit better, I think.
But this is what we have to do. It's a collective process of development, and I'm so overjoyed tonight to be in this place where we can hold up 20 years of the existence of this publication. That's incredible. And when we understand the kind of cutting edge journalism that's part of our tradition, it makes us even more important. So, my friends, we're going to continue with this work. We have to. We have no other choice. The only way we're going to survive is by organizing the masses of our people, and that means that the terrain of consciousness has to be the battle, and so this publication will continue to be the cutting edge. It will continue to expand its reach. It will continue to bring the best analysis that exists out there to the masses of our people. So thanks to all of you for your long years of support. Thanks to everyone who's been a part of this process. Thanks to all of you who have survived and who have made space to advance the interests of the masses of our people. Thanks all of you, and let's continue with this process. Let's celebrate tonight, but understand that tomorrow we go back to work.
All power to the people.
Ajamu Baraka is an editor and contributing columnist for the Black Agenda Report. He is the Director of the North-South Project for People(s)-Centered Human Rights and serves on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Peace Council and leadership body of the U.S.-based United National Anti-War Coalition (UNAC).
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