Nominated by Aisha Fields, All African People's Development and Empowerment Project & African People's Socialist Party and Omowale Kefing, African People's Socialist Party and Uhuru News. Here is an excerpt of what Aisha Fields and Omowale Kefing had to say:
Aisha Fields: Comrade Aja is a member of AAPDEP-Houston and serves as the chapter’s local Membership Coordinator. Under Aja’s leadership, AAPDEP-Houston has completed all requirements for becoming an official branch of AAPDEP.
Although the branch has done fantastic mass production for several years through their AAPDEP 5th Ward Community Garden, the fact that the members of Houston AAPDEP have now formed a formal branch which required ensuring all members’ dues were paid up. and that branch leadership roles were be clearly defined and addressed, along with other processes outlined in the AAPDEP-Houston branch building manual displays in my opinion, a high level of organization, follow-through and attention to protocols that Comrade Aja brings to our Movement.
In this period where AAPDEP is working closely with the OEDF to build AAPDEP’s first economic institution, Zenzele Consignment, Aja has shown tremendous leadership!! As AAPDEP leadership worked to pull together a team to build Zenzele, Aja united with the Executive Committee and took on the responsibility of handling a key role in our fundraising subcommittee: Auction Chair of our first Zenzele Online Holiday Auction.
With only 6 weeks to build a successful auction, there were concerns that we may need to postpone the auction and focus on building it in 2015. However, already having seen the seriousness and commitment of comrades like Aja and others who make up the Zenzele Organizing Committee, AAPDEP decided to press on and make the auction happen in December of 2014.
Let me say unequivocally, that without the daily push from Comrade Aja, consistently informing us of the auction’s progress, including donation monitoring with how many were up on the site, daily bid summaries, and providing feedback on media promotions, we would not have had the politically successful auction that we ultimately had!
Aja became an expert at using our online auction site. Comrade Aja made calls, sent emails, and managed FaceBook posts. She encouraged other comrades to follow her lead in her administrative efforts. Her sense of humor, kindness and hard work were infectious which makes her a wonderful comrade for all to work with. I have dubbed our Zenzele Organizing Committee as a DREAM TEAM, and Aja is our GEM!!!
Omowale Kefing: Comrade Aja is approaching nearly one year of work with the Uhuru Movement. Since that time she has excelled at all the work that she has confronted. Initially Comrade Aja came into the work as a member of AAPDEP-Houston and its signature project, The Fifth Ward Community Garden.
Although Aja lives some 30 miles away, she consistently makes the meetings and the work days in the garden. After a short period of time, Aja was elected treasurer of the local AAPDEP.
This work included handling and raising all the necessary funds it took to mobilize a successful Junteenth AAPDEP event which featured Archie Bell and other local artists and vendors. Several undred people attended this celebration which allowed us to raise much needed funds.
As Secretary Treasurer, Aja fought consistently for organization and a by the book relationship with the International AAPDEP Committee to which she has been recently appointed as International Membership Director.
In addition to the Juneteenth program which put us on track for the One Africa! One Nation! Marketplace Aja was instrumental in organizing the 3000 gallon Rainwater Irrigation System which safeguards the Garden from draught.
During the Black is Back weekend in D.C. comrade Aja was here in Houston with the AAPDEP comrades where she led a successful hands on training of youth from one of the local YES Prep schools.
Comrade Aja Zola is also Secretary of The Burning Spear Team. On the Spear Team she also serves as Chief Proof Reader. Comrade Aja has been superb in her duties with The Spear. We can now depend on Minutes to review our meetings and can now look forward to meeting notices and agendas, including Text messages to all Team members reminding them of scheduled meetings.
As the winner Aja will receive the following:
· A $50 gift card
· The Biko Lumumba Comrade of the Quarter Plaque
· An article in the Burning Spear Newspaper
· Recognition on Uhuru News/Radio
· Recognition at an Uhuru Event
