In 2020, as the world was gripped by the tragic killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and others, I found myself called to action in ways I hadn’t anticipated. That May, I was contacted to help organize a peaceful march in Oxnard after the devastating video of Ahmaud Arbery’s killing circulated. In June, I was asked by Jordan Ward to be a panelist for a critical conversation with law enforcement, the city manager, and our community in response to the heartbreaking death of George Floyd. In August of 2020, Jordan and I hosted a community discussion called "Policing Our People," aimed at equipping our community with the tools to engage with law enforcement while also highlighting voices from law enforcement, mental health experts, and survivors of police brutality. By September, we led another vital conversation about "Black Crime," a difficult yet necessary exploration into the roots of crime in the Black community, featuring diverse voices from financial advisors to former gang members.

These events weren’t just about raising awareness; they were about building bridges, creating platforms for understanding, and laying the foundation for change. As we continued, I realized we needed more than just discussions. We needed a place for our community to call home—somewhere to come together, heal, and receive the support they need in areas like child support, probation, job services, young adult counseling and court appearance support.

This vision led me to take the next step: creating an organization (PROJECT50) dedicated to serving the Black community. It’s more than an organization—it’s a home. A place where we uplift each other, access resources, and empower ourselves to thrive despite the challenges we face. From advocacy to education and community-building, PROJECT50 is designed to be a beacon of hope and a source of strength.

With PROJECT50, we will continue the work we started in 2020, turning pain into purpose and ensuring that every member of our BLACK community has access to the programs, guidance, and support they need to succeed.

This is our time, and this is our movement. Together, we are building something that will last for generations.

 

My name is Dexter Nunnery, I am a proud native of McComb, Mississippi, a graduate of Liberty High School, and an alumnus of Jackson State University. I am the founder and director of PROJECT50 a Ventura County organization based in Oxnard, California. I am dedicated to empowering the Black community of Ventura County by raising awareness of vital systems, resources, and services. I wish PROJECT50 wasn't needed, but that's not the world we live in and it is my purpose and efforts to make sure that the black community has the same opportunities. What they do with those opportunities is their choice, but we have to have the opportuntity to choose.