What is a Black Space?
There is no one definition however, a Black Space throughout history has been a space for respite and revival. A space to counteract daily injustices, oppression and violence. A space to learn, to dream, to express, and to actualize.
The Black Space Summit & Symposium calls artists, activists, educators and industry professionals together for the purpose of honouring of our heritage, celebrating our culture, and empowering our community.
BLACK SPACE SUMMIT & SYMPOSIUM EVENTS
BLACK SPACE SUMMIT & SYMPOSIUM EVENTS
Mental Health Awareness: Practicing Self-Compassion within the African Descent Community
The African Descent community has had to process and deal with layers of trauma related to dehumanization, oppression, violence, and anti-black racism. Although there has been a rise in mental health awareness, we are collectively still dealing with mass systemic traumas including the pandemic and hypervisiblity of violent images across social media . The Mental Health Awareness Panel : Practicing Self-Compassion a space for self-care and community-care welcomes participants of African descent communities and allies to explore wellness practices and tools. Through conversation and open dialogue . We intend to offer all participants practical solutions and modalities to address the mental health gaps promoting individual as well as community care.
Honouring Our Roots: Reciprocal Land Practices – Afro-Indigenous Farming – (Virtual Panel)
For centuries African Descent people have utilized farming practices to nourish, strengthen and build community. As indeginous peoples our connection to the land is the basis of our sense of freedom, justice and way of being. Presently people of African Descent suffer disproportionately from illnesses related to lack of access to fresh food and healthy natural ecosystems. In order to create sustainable solutions as a collective we must look back and honour the reciprocal traditions of our past that once sustained us. The Honouring Our Roots: Reciprocal Land Practices Afro-Indigenous Farming panel will discuss Afro-indigenous farming practices, growing culturally relevant foods, food security, and how we as a Afro-indigeoius people can reclaim our connection to the land.
JEDI: Conscious Space and Place Making (Panel)
There has been an increased presence and visibility of African Descent people in virtual and physical spaces. A lot of these new or hybrid spaces have purported a universal ideal that avoids racial hierarchy however certain constructs are still very present. Mirroring the classification, racial stereotypes, and limited perspective found pervasively within dominant culture. The JEDI: Conscious Space and Place Making (Panel) will explore the present and potenial future of physical and virtual spaces from a black perspective analyzing the current construction and design of these physical and virtual spaces, their accessibility, respectability, safety, and effect on modern definitions of blackness. This panel welcomes creatives, artists, and curators producing events and community spaces within the African descent community to discuss their experiences creating community and cultural spaces.
Decolonizing Frameworks – (Virtual Panel)
The Decolonizing Frameworks (Virtual Panel) invites attendees the opportunity to learn practical tools, network, and share ideas on how we can collectively create sustainable systemic changes that encourage diverse and equitable realities. With the assistance of virtual moderator’s attendees will be given thought provoking questions throughout to inspire impactful conversations and meaningful engagement. This Panel Featuring keynote by D’bi Anita Afrika from the UBUNTU Decolonial Arts Center Creator of The Anita Afrika Method.
Intergenerational Wisdom : Black Elders Speak – (Virtual Panel)
Intergenerational Wisdom: Black Elders Speak (Virtual Panel) focuses on inspiring community healing and transformation. This panel offers participants access to knowledge and wisdom bearers across the diaspora committed to rebuilding and strengthening the African descent community globally. This is an intentional dialogue designed to encourage intergenerational knowledge sharing . We invite all to share wisdom, learn, and honour our ancestors as we explore the current and potential futures of our community analyzing how we can bridge the gap between generations. This Panel is in partnership with the Bavubuka Foundation.