“After all, the past is our only real guide to the future, and historical analogies are instruments for distilling and organizing the past and converting it to a map by which we can navigate.”
Michael Mandelbaum
CULTURAL ANCHOR:
FLATBUSH AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND
Since Juneteenth 2021, GrowHouse has spearheaded a movement at the Flatbush African Burial Ground using a cultural strategy that included art making/fence weaving, history walks and teach-ins that brought the various organizing groups and hundreds of community members together to learn, heal, strategize, and build.
Our long-term vision is to create a cultural ecosystem and economy that will support generations of thriving and pride for Black Brooklyn.
Art + Technology Partnerships
Kinfolk Tech - augmented reality archive of important yet unknown Brooklynites whose legacy we inhabit.
Brooklyn Hi-Art Machine - fence weaving technique as part of Global Fence Weaving Project
Laundromat Project - redesign of walking tour collateral and postcards
Parsons Transdisciplinary Program - branding guidelines for Flatbush African Burial Ground Coalition
The fence weaving is part of the Global Fence Weaving Project - a partnership between the Brooklyn Hi-Art Machine, A Blade of Grass, and Yvonne Mpwo.
Community Engagement
Using our ethos of working across disciplines and at the intersection of art + technology, history + healing, GrowHouse has engaged over 1000 allies and supporters through:
Flatbush African Burial Ground Coalition formation + Descendant Leadership Recruitment
Sankofa Walks (in person + audio/virtual)
Event documentation + archival work
Teach-ins + College partnerships
Community Days of Action + Remembrance
Press Kit development
Domain name purchase, initial site construction
Local Partner Recruitment and Engagement
Elected Official Engagement
Meet Our Partners
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Urban Design Forum + ANHD
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Ifeoma Ebo
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Deena Darby
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Immanuel Oni
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Kami Beckford
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The Flatbush African Burial Ground Coalition
FABGC
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Friends of Abolitionist Place
