How We Work ://: Core Branches

Creative Facilitation.

• We curate cultural performances, artist residencies and [virtual + in-person] community events that spark dialogue about liberation, belonging and how to continue to weave together our stories in the puzzle of our beautiful history.
• We use creative facilitation as a tool for navigating change, strategic planning, and resolving community conflicts and teach this to others.
• We engage students and professionals in creative inquiry projects that address community needs and hardship.
  

Entrepreneurship.

• In our work, we weave together the worlds of business, education, the arts + culture, social science/work, healing, civic engagement and social justice to address the deep complexity and interconnected-ness of the issues we face.
• We contribute to economic mobility by creating jobs, facilitating contracts, negotiating partnerships, and securing capital that will land directly in the hands of those making the most impact for good.
• We work cooperate closely with those seeking to cooperate with us and incubate, nurture, and support individuals, businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations that share our vision to restore balance to the planet.

Service.

• We honor planetary wisdom by acknowledging those that came before us and committed their lives to living and creating from a cooperative mind.
• We honor the elders by seeking the treasure and wisdom of their lived experience. We weave this fabric of connection intentionally with youth.
• We honor the youth by designing programs that are experiential, hands-on, inclusive with a focus on afro-futurism, a celebration of the Black identity and self-efficacy in their capacity to design + shape their own lives.
• We honor Mother Earth through projects, initiatives and service learning that centers waste reduction, beautification, recycling + reducing of waste through upcycled art or repurposing of materials, waterway cleanup (prioritizing rivers and oceans when necessary) and securing support for farmers, pollinators, healers and spiritual practitioners working on and with natural materials for their goods and services.

Storytelling.

• We collaborate with community-led, and community-supported news and media platforms that center the celebration of Black culture.
• We publish digital works that are a collection of  interviews, celebration of creative culture (i.e. culinary, visual, cinematic, musical and various other art forms) and the writings + stories of organizers, changemakers, communities, educators and students.
  
• We share our story and go about living our lives in accordance with our values, leading a purpose-driven life.

Training + Education.

• We advocate for our people and challenge inequity with tool kits for liberation and ways to share best practices.
• We provide support for strategic planning + change management by working directly with entrepreneurs, small businesses, tour operators, orgs and education hubs seeking a creative process of building or innovating their work.
• We serve as a resource connector for grants, opportunities, contracts, proposals, conferences, workshops, trainings, and scholarships that will advance professional and personal development for those working in the artistic leadership space.