Support Pupil of the Eye Initiatives
We are fundraising to nurture, encourage, and provide a safe space for People of African Descent.
Arise: 7th Annual Pupil of the Eye Conference
A Call of the Heart: Hope, Healing, Heritage, and Happiness
"...every organized community enlisted under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh should feel it to be its first and inescapable obligation to nurture, encourage, and safeguard every minority belonging to any faith, race, class, or nation within it.” - Shoghi Effendi, Advent of Divine Justice
About the Conference in Chicago, August 6-10, 2025
The Arise 7 Pupil of the Eye Conference
embodies this sacred calling, creating transformative spaces where
hearts connect through hope, souls find healing from historical wounds,
heritage is celebrated with dignity, and authentic happiness emerges
from unity.
As we gather August 6-10 in Chicago under the theme "Call of the Heart: Hope, Healing, Heritage, and Happiness," we invite people of African descent to join this vital movement that nurtures the unique gifts of people of African descent while courageously addressing racism – America's most challenging spiritual disease.Attendees will be participating in the 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade started by two Black Baha'is, Robert Abbott and David Kellum, that focused on the education of children and youth. This is the second largest parade in the nation located in Bronzeville, Chicago, known as the Black Metropolis, held on the second Saturday in August. This offers a profound opportunity to share the teachings of Baha'u'llah on the oneness of humanity and connect the Black community to core activity efforts that propel the Nine-Year Plan.
For others not of African descent, your support empowers safe spaces for deep healing, meaningful dialogue, and the emergence of solutions that can only come when the "pupil of the eye" is fully empowered to shine its essential light into our world's darkness.
More information about the significance of the "Pupil of the Eye"
In
the late 19th century, Bahá'u'lláh offered a profound and revolutionary
vision, describing people of African descent as the "pupil of the eye" –
that essential center through which light enters and illuminates the
world. Just as the pupil, though appearing dark, is actually the source
from which spiritual light radiates forth, so too are Black people
called to be wellsprings of divine illumination for all humanity.
About Pupil of the Eye Programming
The primary purpose of Pupil of the Eye (POTE) programs is to restore dignity and raise consciousness in people of African descent, designated by Baha'u'llah as 'pupil of the eye' to ARISE, and to inspire them to play their part in eliminating racial prejudice and building a new world order. We create educational programs designed to build relationships with allies (Foundation Hall University), with similarly oppressed peoples (for example our recent (Black and Native Unity) conference, and weekly programs focusing on decolonizing our minds, healing from trauma, and creating safe spaces for teaching black people.
Funds help Barbara Talley with staffing, salaries, conference
planning, website development, weekly safe space gatherings, and
on-going education at www.worldembracing.net and the future launch, www.ThePupilOfTheEye.com website. This POTE focused website will serve as a hub for connecting, educating, healing, and supporting POTE entrepreneurs.
About Organic Oneness (Fiscal Sponsor)
Organic Oneness is a grassroots, social justice organization that brings people together to eliminate racism and create healthy communities in Chicago. We are a Baha'i-inspired educational and community-building organization that promotes the oneness of humanity.
- Build capacity toward racial justice and healing
- Build a Fortress of Wellness with caregivers of humanity and stewards of the earth to prevent burn-out and avoid compassion fatigue
- Leverage relationships to advance communities towards a healthy and peaceful society
To learn more, visit us at: www.organiconeness.org