Earthseed Black Family Archive Project

10/23/2025

Portals, Roots & Routes: Unearthing Our Stories, Forging Our Futures

When: Saturday, November 8, 2025 10am to 7pm
Where: Newlab at Michigan Central, 2050 15th St., Detroit

Presented by: Michigan Central, Black Bottom Archives, and Earthseed Black Family Archive Project

For many of us often in the shadows and on the sidelines of historical narratives—particularly those of the Great Migration—a profound question often presents itself: “Where is my story? How do we access the resources to tell it, and who can guide us?”

“Roots and Routes” emerges as a vital response to this deep yearning within our Black and Afro-Latine communities. This gathering at Michigan Central is dedicated to demystifying the practice of genealogy and memory work. We reveal it not as static recollection, but as a living force: a catalyst for healing, a pathway to liberation, and a compass for shaping our emergent futures.

Through introductory workshops in archiving and oral history, participants will gain essential tools to reclaim, preserve, and honor our own narratives. Alongside these skill-building sessions, you’ll experience:

*A panel conversation exploring the critical importance of archiving and oral history in our communities. Featuring:


*Interactive workshops led by cultural workers and memory-keepers who understand our unique histories. Featuring: Díaz

*A contemplative art installation featuring zines, visual art, and living archives that speak to our experiences. Featuring: .m .aya .drea.vle Díaz

*Space for joy, reflection, and intergenerational connection, strengthening the bonds across our communities. Featuring:

The event is free but registration is required. (Link in bio)

https://portals-roots-routes-tv21b.tripleseattickets.com/registration/select

Parking available at Bagley Mobility Hub 1501 Wabash St. Detroit, MI. Cost of parking is $5.

07/09/2025

Join us as we honor the history and lessons learned from this group of cultural and memory workers who dared to answer the ancestral call to preserve Black history and create liberated futures. What’s possible when Black people intentionally build a community of care in order to grapple with questions of healing, remembrance, legacy and collective power? What are we being called to remember at this time? What are we being called to create?

Will we see you there?!?

07/09/2025

Join us as we honor the history and lessons learned from this group of cultural and memory workers who dared to answer the ancestral call to preserve Black history and create liberated futures. What’s possible when Black people intentionally build a community of care in order to grapple with questions of healing, remembrance, legacy and collective power? What are we being called to remember at this time? What are we being called to create?

Register Today! bit.ly/earthseed2025

11/25/2024

Applications for the Earthseed Black Family Archive Project Cohort 3 is LIVE!!!

Apply today!

Join us for the info session to learn more about the program, hear from past cohort members and have your questions answered.
https://bit.ly/cohort3infosession

***Applications will close on 11:59 pm CT on December 14th*** Applicants will be notified by January 3rd, 2025*** The Earthseed Black Family Archive Project Cohort is a resource for Black family historians, cultural and memory workers and those who are being led to heed their ancestors’ guidance i...

11/21/2024

The Earthseed Black Family Archive Project cohort is a resource for Black family historians, cultural and memory workers and those who are being led by their ancestors to heed their guidance in shaping a liberated world for Black folks. We see the archive as a resource of power and healing to be tapped into and worked with as a sacred text.

*If you feel an otherworldly push to dig into the depths of your family’s past in order to prepare yourself and your people for what’s to come…. This is for you.

*If you are interested in working hand and hand with your ancestors in order to shape collective change…. This is for you.
If you are looking for a community that is “strong enough to hold your truth” (shout out to Rev. Dr. Melva Sampson ) …This is for you.

*If you are ready to CREATE! This IS for you!

Applications for the 3rd annual Earthseed Black Family Archive Project 2025 cohort opens 11/25! All Black folks of the diaspora 18 yrs+ who are living in the U.S. are welcomed to apply. Black elders, youth, q***r and trans folks are strongly encouraged to apply! All sessions are virtual. Closed captioning will be available. ASL interpretation available upon request.

Learn more at bit.ly/EarthseedBlackFamilyArchiveProject

11/12/2024

"This project is a community of people looking for somewhere soft, intentional and sacred to hold their memories and their family’s stories. It is a sacred space to create sacred texts. Like the “clearing” in Toni Morrison’s, Beloved, it is an invitation to “laugh...dance…and weep…for the living and the dead.” Like the Acorn community in Butler’s, Parable of Sower, it is a place to remember who we are, regain our strength and answer the ancestral call to shape change. It's an outpost on the way to freedom to leave your mark for the next freedom fighter that comes behind you."

Many thanks to Association for Public Religion & Intellectual Life for serving as a vessel for this work. Learn more about the project and how it is a response to the times. Let us know what it inspires in you.

10/12/2024

Happening Now!

Turn your videos into live streams with Restream https://restre.am/ANImThe second session of the Future Ancestors Community Learning Series focuses on the in...

10/11/2024

In Octavia Butler’s ''Parable of the Sower the main character, Lauren, was guided by her ancestors to create a “go bag” of essential things she would need when it was time to flee.

Her bag included seeds, weapons and her journal of Earthseed verses (prophetic messages and inner thoughts). What are some of the essentials we should have in our “go bag” to ensure our stories survive the climate and political crisis of our time?

Join us tomorrow for a session on Legacy Planning & New World Building. Learn from the brilliant minds at kinkofa practical steps to document your journey, ensuring that your legacy is both a reflection of your life and a source of ancestral pride for those who come after you.

RSVP Today! bit.ly/FutureAncestorsSession2
Join us tomorrow! Join

In the second session of the Future Ancestors Community Learning Series focuses on the intentional work of capturing your life experiences, stories, and values…

10/08/2024

What medicine are we leaving behind to ensure future generations of freedom fighters, healers, dreamers and new world builders have what they need? Join Earthseed Black Family Archive Project and kinkofa on Saturday, October 12th for a virtual session on Legacy Planning and New World Building!

This session will guide you through practical steps to document your journey, ensuring that your legacy is both a reflection of your life and a source of ancestral pride for those who come after you. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public.

Register Today! bit.ly/FutureAncestorsSession2

What legacy of brilliance, power and ancestral knowledge will you leave behind? How will you preserve it so that it survives the chaos of regimes ending and new world building?

Let us know in the comments.

10/08/2024

What medicine are we leaving behind to ensure future generations of freedom fighters, healers, dreamers and new world builders have what they need? Join Earthseed Black Family Archive Project and kinkofa on Saturday, October 12th for a virtual session on Legacy Planning and New World Building!

This session will guide you through practical steps to document your journey, ensuring that your legacy is both a reflection of your life and a source of ancestral pride for those who come after you. You'll gain insights into what it means to actively shape your legacy, transforming your personal history into a lasting gift for future generations. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public.

Register Today! bit.ly/FutureAncestorsSession2

How are you actively shaping your legacy in order to transform your personal history into a lasting gift for future generations? What legacy of brilliance, power and ancestral knowledge will you leave behind? How will you preserve it so that it survives the chaos of regimes ending and new world building? Let us know in the comments.

10/07/2024

If you were not able to join us for Honoring Legacy & Navigating Loss: A Journey Through Homegoing Practices and Grief Rituals you can catch the replay here. We spent the day learning about ancestral veneration, natural burial practices and using sound meditation to move through and with grief. It was a balm for our souls so I pray it serves you too.

Turn your videos into live streams with Restream https://restre.am/ANIm

09/28/2024

We are LIVE!

Turn your videos into live streams with Restream https://restre.am/ANIm