Ourstory

The best way to get a sense of our (his)story is to read about some of our previous learning offerings. Our past seasons have been magically filled with learning and leaning into the wisdom keepers of our community, young and grown. We are so thankful for the memories, adventures, lessons and challenges, and all the ways that so many are contributing to this village learning movement. And we are especially honored to witness how growth has shown up in each of our young people - through more unapologetic self care, compassionate family and community care, confident self-monitoring of skill development, and intentional protection of culture and land.

Soil to Soul Club

In these 5-hour club meetings, learners explored the interconnectedness between the land's life energies and the joys of well-prepared plant-based dishes. Throughout the day, they tended to the soil, and enjoyed incorporating their harvests into recipes for their souls.

Our young people connected with Mama Gaia through planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, playing, meditating, observing, breathing, listening and talking to plants, writing, composting and seed-saving. They learned about life cycles, seasons and transitions, and about the ecosystems that thrive above and below ground. They read about Farmer Will Allen, analyzed Stevie Wonder's "Power Flower", learned about the Sea Moss Farming Women of Zanzibar, and engaged in discussions about the caring network of Earth life as exemplified in a story about cacao trees and fungi. Conversations centered around the care of self and community as they saw it modeled in nature.

Our learners also prepared garden-to-table dishes, connecting with African diaspora cultures through food stories and herbal remedies. Our recipes included Watermelon Sea Moss Juice, Egusi, Fried Plantain, Fire Cider, Passionfruit Ice Tea, Butterfly Pea Tea, Fresh Salads, Orange Juice with Aloe Vera, Fried Mushrooms, Collard Greens, Sorrel, and Sweet Potato Pies.

Black Literacy Club

We have enjoyed and analyzed literature (books, poetry, articles, song lyrics, historical documents, speeches, films, and documentaries) that are written by and about people of color. We studied writing that is rich and engaging, and that invited us to build upon our own writing skills. Recent texts include Shuri, Freewater, meditation song guy

We treated literature as an invitation to extend our learning into related topics of geography, mathematics, art, science, history, Spanish, etc.

In the Black Literacy Club, different learners were reading to/with us, listening to a reading, and/or reading independently.

Activities included:

freewriting
playing with words
transcription and textual analysis
sketching/labeling
revising and editing

As we built on our own literacy skills, we were constantly making connections to systematic oppression, bold resistance, the respectful connection to Mother Nature, and the revolutionary activism of our people around the world and across history. Learners were wondering, connecting, sharing their thinking, and engaging in lots of dialogue. Each individual was celebrated and supported as a brilliant thinker, reader, and writer.

Starseeds Activate

This club was an experiential learning space designed to support children in developing holistic well-being, metaphysical and earth science awareness, and mindful living through somatic practices. Our Starseeds cherished these weekly grounding sessions and activations through easeful conversations, stories, breathwork, creative projects and body practices.

Through this carefully guided learning adventure, children got to:

- Expand their emotional intelligence and heart connection skills

- Engage with environmental and metaphysical sciences

- Cultivate somatic awareness through movement and breathwork

- Explore cultural wisdom, storytelling, and mindfulness practices

Bike and Art Study Club

Our community has so much to offer in the study of art, nature, humanity, and history. We started each bike ride in Leimert Park, and rode throughout the neighborhood and community, stopping to admire murals, gardens, and other forms of art.

We would agree upon a focus, and then start sketching and labeling in our sketchbooks. Depending on the curiosities and interests of the group, our sketches would lead to further questions, research, exploration, writing tasks, math problems, etc.

In each meeting, we enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, and the joy of connecting with our neighbors as we learned together.

Arts and Activism Club

In this club, learners engaged in conversations around identity of self, health and wellness habits, family roots and heritage, community strength and upliftment, land care and connection, ourstories and the many possibilities of changing lives through art.

We studied the works of artists like Bisa Butler, Romare Dearden, Tupac Shakur, and local community artists. We explored affirmations, music, meditation, journaling, and movement as art. We enjoyed working with various mediums, including acrylic paints, watercolors, chalk pastels, textiles, plants, air dry clay, and recycled materials as we created abstract self-portraits, community/family flags and maps, upcycled projects, still life paintings, and symbolic art with bold messages.

Arts and Literacy Club

Learners were invited into art through literature and into literature through art. To foster joy for both visual and written expression, we studied the beautiful techniques used by Black and Brown writers, poets, lyricists, and illustrators, including Langston Hughes, Resmaa Menakem.

We got our hands, minds, hearts, and souls into making art that intertwined the use of metaphors, literary themes, contrasting and powerful quotes. We collaboratively and independently engaged in storytelling through creative writing, song writing, sculpting, painting, mood coloring, collaging, 3-dimensional designing, nature-crafting and risk-taking.

Community Business Club

As learners created an expanded version of a lemonade stand, they practiced collaborative decision-making skills, customer service skills, marketing, accounting and budgeting skills. They prepared and served various flavors of fresh lemonade, and sold supplies, clothing, and freshly harvested fruits and greens. Most importantly, they learned more about themselves and each other as they interacted with our neighbors.

Chess Club

Chess is one of the greatest metaphors for life. Through the game, we practiced the skills of logic, critical thinking, forecasting outcomes, and strategic planning. We gained insight into making adjustments when met with adversity. When desired outcomes were not achieved, we learned to use healthy coping mechanisms and discover new ways to strategize.

In this Chess Club, our learners used the board, the pieces, and their movements as another tool to gain direction in life.

Anatomy Of Health

Learners uncovered the secrets of bones, muscles, organs, cells and more through exciting games and hands-on activities. From learning about our super-powered heartbeats to discovering how our brain controls our body, every week was packed with fun and fascinating discoveries.

Mindful Explorers

In this 5-hour club, we utilized our minds, bodies, and hearts to explore the world around us. We traveled by bus, train, and foot to different destinations throughout Los Angeles County, and invited our learners into tasks and conversations in mathematics, art study, literacy, map study, geography, and health and wellness. Our facilitators partnered with our young people to foster self-directedness and community cohesion for each individual and the village.

Our adventures included visits to:

parks, museums, art exhibits
libraries and bookstores
courthouses
nonprofit community organizations
beaches and hiking trails
Black-owned businesses
Pan African Film and Arts Festival

We even enjoyed a glorious family day of whale watching!

Herb Lab

We embarked on an exploration of herbs and plants through the lens of the five elements. Learners investigated how herbs embody earth, water, fire, air, and ether, understanding their roles and significance in the natural world. Furthermore, participants immersed themselves in crafting their very own herbal teas and remedies, discovering the diverse properties and benefits that different herbs offer. From cultivating, harvesting, and drying herbs to blending and brewing unique tea concoctions, every step was hands-on and exploratory.

Magic Club

While exploring the mysterious art of magic with delight and laughter, learners also built their critical thinking skills of predicting, analyzing, planning, sequencing, and memorizing. Individuals were refining their hand-eye coordination abilities, and pushing themselves as they practiced and persevered with their magic methods.

We invite our young magicians to write their own scripts and show introductions. We also supported them as they built their self-confidence as brilliant and comedic presenters. Our learning process culminated in magic presentations performed at the adult day care center in the neighborhood, as well as a street performance in Africatown.

Financial Literacy

Our learners investigated and built on their own understandings of income and expenses, corporate systems and government policies, investments and savings, entrepreneurship and financial decision-making, community partnerships, Black ownership, and social responsibility.

We read about historical and current events, we played games, including Black Wall Street, we examined bills and documents, we engaged in critical dialogue - all through the lense of what our learners already know and how we can better serve our individual dreams, our families, our community, and our world.