State of Ujima - 2026

Greetings and Happy New Year! What ever happened to 2025? It appears time is racing by. The year 2025 is now in the history books. Now we are moving forward to reach future milestones and vital accomplishments, with the help and dedication of those sharing our vision. As time marches on, Ujima is progressing forward with a well-defined purpose, a clear focus, and unwavering mission. 

Ujima, Inc., a community-based non-profit organization has completed reorganization. We now have 10 skillful, truly dedicated and creative members of the Board of Directors and 5 equally committed and engaged Volunteers. Ujima, Inc. continues to publish a quarterly newsletter, which is increasing in popularity and relevance. The quarterly Ask the Doctor virtual series is also growing in popularity. Both the newsletter and Ask the Doctor are designed to inform, educate and empower the viewers around the issue of health equity. For more information, you are invited to view the website. In the short-term, we are planning to increase the number of medical schools we support, which means we will need to grow the scholarship fund. 

The Ujima Fund Development Committee is busy creating fun, rewarding and lucrative opportunities for individuals, medical professionals, clubs, organizations and businesses to be a part of this groundbreaking movement. To that end, Ujima, Inc. has begun a monthly donor program. Individuals who believe in our mission can make a tax-deductible, monthly donation directly to the Ujima Scholarship Fund on the website: www.UjimaScholarshipFund.org. In March Ujima, Inc. will participate in a fundraising party parade. This event is designed to be fun as well as lucrative. 

For the first time, Ujima, Inc. participated in Giving Tuesday, with a rewarding result.  Our Legacy Sponsors continue to serve as the financial backbone of the Ujima Scholarship Fund. And, we are pleased to have acquired 2 additional Legacy Sponsors. A Legacy Sponsor is an individual who has either raised or donated $1,000 or more to the Ujima Scholarship Fund.

Also, anyone wishing to acknowledge and celebrate a lost loved one, may establish a memorial scholarship, in their name and make the award at the scholarship award luncheon. Finally, any medical professional or medical entity is invited to support the Ujima Scholarship Fund. For more information, on any of the above fundraising activities, please visit the website or send an email to:  UjimaScholarshipFundSoCal@gmail.com. 

The J. Valenzuela Foundation has continued its support of the Ujima Scholarship Fund and Ujima, Inc. remains focused on establishing a multi-million dollar endowment fund. A soft introduction is being planned for later this year. For updates, please visit the website.

The Ujima Scholarship Fund applications have gone out to the four local medical schools Ujima, Inc. continues to support. They include Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, the Pharmacy students at Keck Graduate Institute in Claremont, UCR School of Medicine in Riverside and the California University of Science and Medicine in Colton. 

These Ujima Scholars are judged based on their academic performance, letters of recommendation, financial need, character references and an in-person panel interview to determine their knowledge and understanding of health disparities and their negative impact on African Americans. The interview concludes with a discussion of the potential Ujima Scholar’s plans to work toward health equity when they enter their practice. At the award ceremony, the entire community will have the opportunity to meet the next generation of focused, clear-eyed, relatable and talented health care professionals. And they will receive their Ujima Scholar lapel pin, which they have committed to wear on their white coat as an outward symbol of their commitment to health equity. 

We have a scholarship award date of April 18, 2026. The details will be published in the newsletter and posted on the website. The 2026 Ujima Scholars will be pictured in the Ujima Newsletter and on the Ujima, Inc. website. These skillful, knowledgeable and compassionate healers are charged with becoming the crusaders for and proponents of health equity.

The Ujima, Inc. Board of Directors is proud to announce $176,000 has been awarded to our Ujima Scholars to date. The scholarship goal for 2026 is $50,000 and we are half-way there. Any individual, business or organization wishing to contribute to the Ujima Scholarship Fund may go to the website and follow the prompts.  All donations are tax deductible and each donor will receive a receipt for their taxes and a thank you letter.

Ujima, Inc. has been a long-standing member of the Inland Empire Community collaborative, and the Academy of Grass Roots Organizations. We are now a proud member of the Black Equity Initiative. And, we continue to partner with Immanuel Praise Fellowship Church in Rancho Cucamonga and the San Gabriel YWCA. We anticipate and invite other collaborations, as each collaboration provides increased visibility, viability and impact. Anyone wishing additional information about Ujima, Inc. and the Ujima Scholarship Fund may visit the website or contact us at the email address: UjimaScholarshipFundSoCal@gmail.com. 

On behalf of the Ujima, Inc. Board of Directors, and Volunteers, I wish to thank all individuals, organizations and businesses who have supported the work of Ujima, Inc. Our success is your success. You are a part of a movement which will make a difference and will be celebrated for years to come, as we move the needle toward health equity. You or a loved one may benefit from the skillful care received from a Ujima Scholar.

Health equity is a worthy pursuit. Health equity is a necessary pursuit. Health equity is a critical pursuit. Health equity is an investment in human capital, which enables our communities, our cities and our nation to evolve and thrive. You are strongly encouraged to be a part of this effort.

Respectfully Submitted, 

Alexis Dotson

Alexis Dotson, Founder and CEO

Ujima, Inc.