Black American Tree Project: L. Danyetta Najoli & Freda Epum

Beginning on November 12, 2020, as part of the virtual Ideas that Matter series,
the Black American Tree Project conducted an experiential workshop giving participants
a ‘feeling’ of 400 years of colonial oppression. These experiences were developed and presented
by Danyetta Najoli and Freda Epum.
The Black American Tree Project sessions were on November 12 and December 7, 2020.

Danyetta & Freda have created and are delivering the Black American Tree Project workshops – now virtually. They describe the evolution, implementation – and the wave effecting in communities.

The Black American Tree Project is a collaborative, participatory history lesson/immersive performance experience. It is developed with Pan- African educators, artists, writers, and non-profit professionals. The project was created in response to the Kairos Blanket Exercise by indigenous Canadian leaders, the Starfire String Exercise by dis/ability experts, and the New York Times 1619 project. The project is a 90-minute interactive workshop that educates audiences about the legacies of slavery in modern American society–especially in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area–and its after-effects in housing, the medical establishment, prison system, schooling, and other areas in which Black Americans are affected.

NEW website for the Black American Tree Project and Invitation Video to Join the BATP by Katie Bachmeyer

Invitational video to the BATP (three-minutes)

Black AmericanTree Project. Introduction: L. Danyetta Najoli & Freda Epum

Black AmericanTree Project. 7-Minute Introduction: L. Danyetta Najoli & Freda Epum – November 12, 2020

Black American Tree Project~ Breakout Session: L. Danyetta Najoli & Freda Epum – November 12, 2020

Black AmericanTree Project.. Followup Workshop: L. Danyetta Najoli & Freda Epum – December 7, 2020

Additional ‘Reflections’ on the experience by some participants

Community Building as a Practice – presentation by L. Danyetta Najoli for Nebraska Person Centered Planning Initiative