Freedom BLOC

It was an endorser of the January 2024 March on Washington for Gaza. ²

Background

Freedom Bloc claims to be made from a network of 64 Black-owned businesses and groups as of 2026 and to be “fiscal agents” for four additional organizations. ³ According to its 2019-2024 Impact Report, the group claimed that “Racism is woven so intricately into the fabric of this country’s structures resulting in Black people experiencing its damage when attempting common endeavors” including getting a job or car loan, starting a business, or buying a house. ⁴

According to its website, Freedom BLOC’s three areas of advocacy are “budget justice,” “housing justice” and “transformational justice.” Budget Justice includes “transparency, reinvesting in the community” and “developing a participatory budgeting process with community.” The group asserts that housing is a human right, and “housing justice” includes tenant unions and “housing for formerly incarcerated families.” One of Freedom BlOC’s housing goals is changing the “capitalistic narrative around housing.” ⁵ The group claims that “Transformational justice” means “Divestment in carceral punishment” in favor of communities and entails police accountability, “Bail/Jail Reform” and voting rights for local prisoners. ⁶

Freedom BLOC has collaborated with Summit County Continuum of Care for the Homeless. The former claimed the collaboration resulted in “applying a racial equity lens to homelessness programs, addressing disproportionate impacts on marginalized populations” and “strengthening community ties to drive collective action on affordable housing and systemic inequities.” ⁵

The group offers “BLOC University,” a six-week program for members to learn about Freedom BLOC activities including “changing the material conditions of working class people” and “changing the power dynamics in Northeast Ohio.” ³

Initiatives

In April 2026, the group proposed three new ballot initiatives for the November 2026 election. The first would ban landlords from charging a fee for an application or a background check and allow renters to pay their security deposit in three- or six-monthly installments. The second ballot initiative would ban landlords from denying an applicant due to criminal history, with exceptions made for arson and “offenses requiring a person to register as a sex offender.” ⁷ The third would “secure broader input” on the members of Akron, Ohio police review board and “strengthen the board’s ability to hold officers accountable.” ⁸

In October 2024, Freedom BLOC called for Akron Police Chief Brian Harding to resign, claiming he had “failed to hold officers accountable” for “abusive actions.” The statement came shortly after an independent police auditor determined that “an officer used unreasonable force against a woman” during a response to a “volatile domestic call.” Harding rejected the auditor’s findings. ⁹

Freedom BLOC’s Warren, Ohio office also offers after school programs, a clinic to assist clients with expungement, and assistance with voter registration. ¹⁰

Leadership

Raymond Greene, Jr. is the founder of Freedom ROC and Freedom BLOC. ¹ As of late July 2026, Greene was executive director, Ciara Vinzant was political director, Destiny Anderson was civic engagement director, and there were six organizers. ¹¹ Myles Jay was head of the organizing office in Warren, Ohio as of July 2026. ¹⁰

BLOC board members include Jennifer Toles, Bruce Butcher, Robin Turner, DaMareo Cooper, and Julie Scarcella. ¹¹

Financials

In 2025, Freedom BLOC received $50,000 from Ohio Progressive Collaborative earmarked for voter education. ¹² The group received $10,000 from Black Voters Matter Fund and $35,000 from Grove Action Fund in 2022 ^{13  14} and $40,000 from America Votes for “social welfare” in 2021. ¹⁵

Donations to Freedom Bloc go through the Democratic Party-associated ActBlue platform, with the nonprofit arm ActBlue Civics the merchant of record. ¹⁶