Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
The Center for Black Peace
“The Center for Black Peace is a space that actively advances the needs of the most marginalized within our community. We reject the idea of tolerance as the notion of tolerance is limiting in the pursuit of true liberation. We believe in actively celebrating in the joy of non-binary, Black trans women and an intentional practice of Alice Walker’s Womanism*.”
What do we believe?
We believe in, support, and practice Radical Inclusion.
We believe in the fluidity of the African diaspora and therefore we do not purport that there is a version of Blackness above others.
Who we are here for?
The Center for Black Peace is named for the Black struggle, given that at the center of all oppression globally, is the Black body. It is under this umbrella that all bodies are protected and therefore uplifted and exalted. When Black Trans Women get free, everyone is free.
How do we show up?
Open to Black, Latinx, Indigenous, People of Color, the Center for Black Peace aims to engage bodies under oppression in three simple things -
Rest
Rejuvenation
Restoration
Scaffold-ed off of the work Tricia Hersey gleaned from her time in the Octavia Butler archives, this Center for Black Peace sees the function of Hersey’s Nap Ministry and expands on it, growing it into a space where “rest is the primary function of radical resistance”. The Center rejects the notion of invisible labor and will acknowledge and pay all people it employs a living wage or better.
Why Now?
The destruction of the Black and Brown body has been at an all time visible high. With research showing us the devastation of stress on Black and Brown bodies not carried by other people groups, the need for safer, rest centric spaces has never been more in demand.
How do we provide healing?
Given the heaviness of myriad stress factors - be it continual news coverage of Black and Brown death, structural racism (like food deserts, redlining, targeted predatory loans which have incapacitated many to be able to change their station in life without getting into more debt), the Black/Brown tax, or the inability to making any mistakes without fear of never getting a second chance because of the indefinite impact it will have on one’s life, living while Black and Brown is hard.
The Center for Black Peace acts as a nurturing space, providing everything from space to vent, to space to grieve. We believe in centering on health and wellness as it is only through a healthy and safe mental framework and mindset, that we as Black and Brown people will be able to find our peace.
We offer everything from virtual workshops like, yoga, Paint and Sips, & facilitated discussion space, to ensure the mental healthy of our patrons is met. As a space that is growing to serve the whole of the Black and Brown body, we start with the mind, because from there we can infuse everything else. Check back for our upcoming workshops schedule.
We are the Center for Black Peace. Peace of Mind, Peace of Heart.