<![CDATA[OURSPACE WORLD - Ujima Jams Blog]]>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:52:55 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[A Heart 4 People Farm + Meet the BGE Fellow]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:58:31 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/a-heart-4-people-farm-meet-the-bge-fellow
Muna here, OSW intern and BGE summer fellow, taking over for a special edition Ujima Jam blog entry! I started this entry sitting on a yoga mat on the balcony of my sublet, enjoying a break from the AC (my roommate likes living in an ice box!), and not even halfway through, it started thundering and raining! That is one thing I have had to get used to after living in Los Angeles for the last four years and to be honest, I am lovin’ it!  

“Why would you ever love this humid, bipolar weather!?” you might ask. The rain, the music of the crickets, the way the trees and vines tangle together, even the birds of the DMV, remind me of home. I wrote this poem last July while sitting on my auntie’s balcony in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
 
Orange, pink, red and blue
Clouds playing peek-a-boo with the moon 
The birds sing and play and jest
White light inside grey giants’ thunder
Whispers as rain falls on distant towns
The breeze is a most welcome visitor 
A reminder that everything comes to an end
So death is met with jubilee
As vultures perch on carcasses 
Before morning market, in between green and purple roofs
The trees talk to each other
Plantain, palm, and pear
Change is the only constant
A permanent impermanence.
 
On Saturday, July 12th, we reconvened with Michele Coleman at A Heart for People farm in Upper Marlboro, MD to celebrate “The Essence of Ujima” - the critical importance of collective responsibility and community in these times. A Heart 4 People was born in November of 2022 with the mission of growing veggies and herbs to help senior citizens and others in the community who are food insecure. The farm is Farmer Michele’s ministry and the way she honors the legacy of 4 of her ancestors. 
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Farmer Michele came up with this jam’s theme as she reflected on the need to ground ourselves on the land, process recent events, and most importantly, recenter joy in our community. We are grateful to have had a bountiful turnout that allowed us to accomplish many tasks including building a wheelbarrow from scratch, weeding and harvesting rows of kale, pounding trellises for tomatoes, painting signs for rows, and much more. The goal for my first Ujima Jam was for folks to take something back with them that would help them take better care of themselves. They left with a recipe for delicious, homemade, electrolyte drinks and wisdom on how to make better buying decisions at the grocery store. I am eternally grateful to MJ, my fellow intern Mia, and the OSW team for their guidance and support in putting this together.
 
After the jam, I sat down to journal and reflect, but a prayer came to me instead.
 
“Chi (Igbo word for ‘personal God’) please teach me what I need to learn so that I can best serve you and your creations.”
Photo Credit:  Muna
]]><![CDATA[Ft. Lincoln + 2024 UJ Reflections]]>Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:00:51 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/ft-lincoln-2024-uj-reflectionsAs the growing season comes to a close, so does Ujima Jams 2024.

From June until now, I haven’t written much about the work we’ve been doing, but I’ve spent hours learning alongside Black farmers and lifelong learners. This year was about saying less and showing up more—and I feel proud to have achieved that goal.

Now, as I reflect on my first year coordinating Ujima Jams, I find myself thinking about the questions Audre Lorde asked in Sister Outsider:

“What are the words you do not yet have? What do you need to say? What are the tyrannies you swallow day by day and attempt to make your own, until you sicken and die of them, still in silence?”

This blog is a reflective space to celebrate collective work and responsibility.
It's about honoring the simple, but necessary moments of community building. 
It's about sharing the words, once they arrive.
….

Ujima Jams is a space for the meantime in-between time. 
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It’s an invitation to join the OurSpace Orbit—a space where we help each other out, learn together, and work on farms. So many beautiful souls have accepted Ujima Jam invitations this year. Throughout the season, we’ve supported eight Black small-scale farmers and worked together for nine months, completing a variety of on-farm tasks: preparing beds, transplanting, composting, pest management, weeding, and harvesting produce.
Our last Ujima Jam of the season took place at Ft. Lincoln Community Garden. The Howard University Water Environment Association, along with other community members, supported Farmer Michele’s Senior Insecurity Project. This project was born in 2023 when Farmer Michele noticed two senior housing buildings along Bladensburg Road in Northeast DC. Her first thought was, “How can I serve these seniors by delivering fresh produce from A Heart 4 People Farm in Upper Marlboro?”

Farmer Michele applied for grant funding and turned the land at the Theodore Hagans Cultural Center into a farm that now serves the senior community at Ft. Lincoln. With this funding, Phase 1 of the project was completed: six raised beds, with plans for more.

On November 16th, we came together to clear beds, overwinter peppers, transplant kale, harvest sweet potatoes, and clean around the greenhouse. We were grateful to have community members who have been consistent throughout the season show up and contribute. We were also blessed to have Howard University students join in and support Farmer Michele's on-farm efforts.
Two community elders came forward to speak life into our efforts and bless the food we planted. We are blessed with abundance—for many years and many moons to come.

Ujima Jams like this reminds us that we are always better when we come together. There are many more goals to accomplish in 2025, but I’m thankful to have found the words to describe some of our actions in 2024.
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As we move into the next season, we carry with us Audre Lorde’s wisdom: “We can learn to work and speak when we are afraid in the same way we have learned to work and speak when we are tired.” Audre Lorde, we are learning to honor both. It makes us more human.

More willing to create worlds for Earthseeds. 
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Thank you, Creator for the breath.
Thank you, Creator for Ujima Jams.
We move forward with more to share, more to do, and more to become.

And so it is
And so it is
Photo Credit: MJ
]]><![CDATA[WoodBox Farm]]>Mon, 01 Jul 2024 02:05:59 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/woodbox-farmWhat do sunrises mean to you? 

I see every sunrise as an opportunity 
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An opportunity to live out our mission on Earth
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The HoodHealer reminds us, as long as we have the breath we have options
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Ujima Jams are an option we have to support Black land stewards in the DMV and connect with like-minded souls.
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To end the month of June, UJ participants supported  Farmer Marcus Roberson, Keisha Napper and Angie French on the farm they steward in Alexandria, VA.  

​WoodBox Farm is an incubator that focuses on soil health, community engagement and multigenerational outreach.

Together, these land stewards produce seasonal fruits and vegetables from soil they have cultivated for 7 seasons.
During this rising Ujima Jam, participants planted rows of sugar baby watermelons. We also weeded beds that are home to hibiscus, sunflowers, corn, beans and squash. 

It was a beautiful opportunity to build community with other land stewards and Earth healers who were eager to support WoodBox Farm's seasonal goals. 
Farmer Marcus Roberson, Keisha Napper, and Angie French, thank you for teaching us about regenerative agriculture and the necessity of sunrise work on the farm.
Photo Credit: MJ
]]><![CDATA[Ad Astra North]]>Tue, 28 May 2024 17:57:42 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/ad-astra-north
Ad Astra is a latin expression that means, “to the stars” 
When you look at the stars, what comes up for you?

I think about..
 summer nights laying in the grass staring at the stars
 twinkle twinkle little star lullaby 
 little simz’s bar on, how did you get here 
“im made up of the same stars that I wish upon”
 the milky way galaxy
there no such thing as an ugly/out of place star
 shining star by earth, wind & fire

when we look in the night sky there is never one star
there are billions of stars
the stars remind us that we are never truly alone

Farmers, growers, earth healers and lifelong learners are like stars. Each one shines bright in our own way. We exist in this galaxy for a reason. We need to support each other. 

Farmer Mac is a star!
She established Ad Astra Farms in 2022 with a mission to support the local food system with sustainably grown produce, home garden consultation and education. She began her farming on one-third of an acre in Bel Alton, MD. In 2023, she leased nearly 3 acres of land in Upper Marlboro. This month, she needed support with moving 8 raised beds, an enclosure and soil to the new site “Ad Astra North”.
Before this Ujima Jam, the OSW team helped Farmer Mac disassemble all 8 beds, the enclosure and packed some soil in trucks. The next day at the Ujima Jam, attendees reassembled 8 raised beds, unload the soil, and place the enclosure in the barn.
We worked in teams to (1) build the raised bed (2) add chicken wire and biodegradable landscape fabric then (3) add soil to the raised beds. This tasks required​ some time, music, tools and effort. We’re glad that folks were able to support Farmer Mac’s efforts for this growing season. She mentioned, the generous folks who came to support are certainly the stars in her sky. 
Thank you Farmer Mac for reminding us to reach for the stars & support each other along the way!
Photo credit: OSW Team
]]><![CDATA[FreshTable Gardens]]>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 23:07:44 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/freshtable-gardens
This year, the Creator has invited me to embrace a new mantra. 

My life is a canvas and I am the artist 
I create the lifestyle I want to live and I take responsibility for what I create

This mantra is how I manifest a life filled with experiences that lead to self-mastery, rewarding relationships, timeless love and meaningful contributions to Earth.

How do you bring things you want into your reality?

How do you create the world you want to live in?

Currently, OurSpace is creating a world where Black folks can grow food for ourselves and work cooperatively with each other. The Ujima Jams are an entry point into this world. 

We hosted a Ujima Jam at FreshTable Gardens to celebrate Earth Day (eve). FreshTable Gardens is an African American, woman-owned and operated farm. The farm is located on 15 acres of land in Upper Marlboro, MD. Farmer Vicky’s mission is to cultivate and produce organic food and herbs that nourish her and her community.
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Farmer Vicky can co-create what her heart desires on these 15-acres. Her current goal is to create three distinctive growing spaces on the farm. During this Jam, we helped with preparing one of the growing spaces. We tilled and placed wood chips around the high tunnel. ​
We also explored the 15 acres with Farmer Vicky and met Ray Parker who is the founder of The Educated Horsemen. After our exploration, we enjoyed some delicious food and drinks made by the Farm 2 Food Sovereignty Academy, Chef Shawn and Farmer Vicky. This Jam was a beautiful reflection of intergenerational support and community building.
Thank you Farmer Vicky for reminding us it's never too late to create a fulfilling life on Earth. 
Photo Credit: OSW Team & Farmer Vicky
]]><![CDATA[Tayman Field]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2024 01:02:43 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/tayman-fieldWhat in your life is irreplaceable? 

Meaning, what in your life is so special that it can not be replaced if it is lost or destroyed?

For me, my connection with my Creator is irreplaceable.
There is no substitute for the kind of communication and energetic exchange that I am able to receive from the Divine. 

Mama Earth, what is something that you have created that is irreplaceable?

Trees

Trees are essential to the fabric of Earth
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Trees provide us oxygen, support wildlife, improve air quality, conserve water and preserve soil. 

If all the trees disappeared, the Earth would not be able to sustain us or itself. 
In many ways trees represent the cycle of life and death.
Trees also connect us to our cultural roots and everything around us. 

The Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance knows the importance of growing and protecting trees. 
The Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance is a collective of farmers, growers and gardeners that supply heirloom seeds and grow culturally meaningful crops. One of their many goals is to educate our communities on the importance of protecting our environmental resources.  
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During our Ujima Jam at Tayman Field, we had the opportunity to support the early stages of growing Persimmon trees. The American Persimmon is native to Maryland and produces edible fruit. We learned how to mix soil and place the persimmon seedlings in growing bags. At the end of the Ujima Jam we were able to lay down landscape fabric in rows and plant over 30 persimmon seedlings in growing bags. We know it will take years for these trees to bear fruit. Still, we are grateful for the opportunity to preserve one of Mama Earth’s sacred treasures. 

Thank you to Mama Bonnetta and the whole Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance for teaching us agricultural and communal practices that will benefit and sustain future generations. I am grateful for the opportunity to bloom this season with y'all!
Photo Credit: OurSpace Team
]]><![CDATA[Konterra Life]]>Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:43:57 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/konterra-lifeThe heart is the first organ to form during the development of our bodies. 
It is the core of our being.
The symbol of life.
As long as our hearts are beating, we know that we are alive. 

Throughout our lifetime our hearts send us messages about love, intuition and wisdom. 
In a society that values money over love, folks are conditioned to disconnect from their heart.
This spell leads to a disconnection with the core of our existence.

Our hearts become heavy.
We can feel weighted with mistrust, confusion, resentment and a longing for repair. 

I believe that we owe it to ourselves and our ancestors to get justice for our hearts. 
But how do we do that? 
We can look to Mama Earth for the answers. 

Mama Earth, what does justice for our hearts look and feel like?

The heart of farming is in the soil. 
The health of the soil matters. 

We can look to regenerative farming for guidance. 
Regenerative farming is about restoring the health of the soil that has been damaged. 

OurSpace supports farmers who use regenerative farming practices.
These farmers are folks who work to replenish the resources Mama Earth gives us instead of depleting Her.
Konterra Life is a regenerative farm in Beltsville, Maryland. 

Farmers Kela and Larry use a soil-enriched approach that lets their soil thrive and embrace the natural ecosystem. This looks like no-tiling, or adding chemicals and sprays to their crops.
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In this way, they honor the nourishment only Mama Earth can provide.

OurSpace was able to connect with this farm through Brandon Starkes, the founder of The People’s Market. He shared the work Farmers Kela and Larry are doing to provide locally grown produce to our communities. 
This daughter and father team is passionate about equitable food access and have a great appreciation for where our food comes from. I wanted more folks to learn about the wonderful work this family is doing through an Ujima Jam.
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It was raining the day of the Ujima Jam but that didn't stop folks from showing up to support this farm. Kela taught over 20 attendees how to (1) identify disease in spinach, (2) pull the crop from root, (3) weed around the beds and (4) use innovative tools to harvest spinach.

As we poured into Konterra Life, Kela poured back into us. Life-long learners (of all ages) had the opportunity to be educated by Kela and open their hearts for community-building that is happening on farms. Collectively, we made a fresh salad using the spinach we harvested and topped it off with home-made bread baked by Kela. This was a heartwarming experience and a great way to start off the on-farm Ujima Jams this season.
After the Ujima Jam, Kela shared that her heart is full. 
Throughout this season, I will be thinking about justice for our hearts. I am grateful at this moment to have the Konterra Life Ujima Jam as a reference point. ​
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Photo & Video Credit: OurSpace Team
]]><![CDATA[Love Bug]]>Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:26:17 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/love-bugWhat will my life be like in 5-10 years? 

This year, I wrote love letters from the perspective of my future self. I shared what I learned about living on Earth and embracing the unknown. I expressed, the best is yet to come. These letters have a sweet and optimistic outlook on the future. This form of writing helped me get through the eerie and unfathomable parts of this year.

When I expand past my own bubble, I think about the lived-experiences of children, youth, adults & elders.

What will their lives be like in 5-10 years? 
What lessons will they share about life on Earth?

The answers to these questions are unknown..

Currently, OurSpace World is equipping folks with the knowledge and resources to navigate challenging times. There is a commitment to intergenerational learning that I admire. We all can be learning from each other during these times.
Love Bug is a family-centered farm that grows nutrient dense food. When you see Farmer Maiya on the farm, you’ll probably see her daughter. This mother-daughter duo is full of wit and determination. 

When I arrived on the farm for the Ujima Jam, I saw Farmer Maiya and her daughter. They were pulling weeds. I greeted them and asked Farmer Maiya, what she would like to accomplish during this Jam? She mentioned weeding, composting, and clearing out the hoop house.
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I began supporting her efforts by gathering the pulled weeds and taking them to the compost bin. Once a few more people showed up, we began working on clearing out the hoop house.

This hoop house was growing tomatoes all season. Farmer Maiya was ready to make space for more vegetables to grow next season.

We listened to music and gathered all of the remaining tomatoes. I shared with one of the attendees that I was raised in the Central Valley of California. We began to discuss the area’s agricultural production and groundwater depletion. He asked me, what I think is going to happen with the water crisis? I said honestly I don't know. 
After we took a break, we continued with clearing out the hoop house. We removed and composted the remaining branches. We finished by breaking up the soil and reorganizing some items around the farm. 
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Before I left, I gave Farmer Maiya and her daughter a hug. If this Ujima Jam was a song it would be The Makings of You-Live at The Bitter End, NYC by Curtis Mayfield. 

​Thank you Farmer Maiya for your wisdom and generosity 
Thank you for reminding us what can be accomplished with focus and determination 
Thank you for showing us the importance of learning and growing together 
Photo Credit: MJ
]]><![CDATA[OlaLekan]]>Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:57:27 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/olalekanWhat makes Maryland a sacred place? 

Maybe it’s the spirit of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass that is roaming free on the land
Maybe it’s the guidance from ancestors, relatives and visionaries who call this place home 
Maybe it's the access to forests, lakes, mountains and plant medicine 

Maybe it is the depth and range of Blackness

Whatever it is, I am glad that my life journey led me here. This has been the place where I learned how to integrate younger versions of myself.  Now, I (inner)stand why those versions of myself were essential. They were preparing me to be open and willing to connect with other souls on their journey.

2017-2018, Farmer Tolu and I were both living in Madison, Wisconsin but never crossed paths. It’s not until this year that we connected through OurSpace World. The Ujima Jam at OlaLekan Farm felt like an opportunity to celebrate divine timing and guidance.
OlaLekan Farm is worth celebrating. Farmer Tolu started the farm this year and she made it through the first season!

When I arrived on the farm, I greeted the land. Soon after, Tolu pulled up. We talked about the intention for the Jam session. Tolu shared, she wanted the Jam to be light-hearted and productive. 

As we set up, Tolu and I talked about our journey to the DMV area and different versions of ourselves.  
As more folks arrived, we moved mulch, dug holes and planted garlic. One of my first friends in Maryland participated in this Ujima Jam. That made me smile. Also, some of Tolu’s students from the ECO City Farms Beginning Farmer Program came to support. 
Collectively, we enjoyed a delicious sweet potato soup made by the OurSpace World apprentices. The sweet potatoes in the soup were harvested from Sisters of the Soil Farm. Farmers Michelle and Miriam were both present on the farm and enjoyed the soup.

We helped Tolu move two large tarps that were filled with mud and water. As we were moving the tarps, Little Simz's “How Did You Get Here” was playing in the background. At the end, we were covered in mud and water but we accomplished our goal. 
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Before I left the farm, Tolu harvested some chard and gave it to me. I used it to make dinner!
Thank you Farmer Tolu for reminding me of divine timing.
Thank you for teaching us to believe in ourselves.
​Thank you for showing us how to steward the land we are on.
Photo Credit: MJ 
]]><![CDATA[Sisters of the Soil]]>Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:13:37 GMThttps://www.ourspaceworld.org/ujimajamsblog/sisters-of-the-soilThere is so much suffering and destruction happening in the world. During this time, we can ask ourselves some questions. 

​What do we truly believe in? 
How can we take the next steps to honor our deepest truth? 

We all have different responses to these questions based on our lineage and live-experiences. 

I believe in the power of coming together to support each other. I believe in a particular kind of healing, love and support that is only available when we are in community. The truth is, none of us know how long we will be on this Earth. We must lean into the connections, gifts and resources that we have now. 

Connecting with folks in the OurSpace World ecosystem has reminded me to embrace the power of community.
Not the theory of community, but an active community. One where I can contribute to the Earth in meaningful ways. 
The Ujima Jams are a beautiful example of what can be accomplished when we come together to support each other. Even when there is chaos happening around us we can carve out time to be present on sacred land. 

Sisters of the Soil embodies the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”​
 In October Farmers Michelle, Trina and Miriam had a goal to harvest as many sweet potatoes as possible. The Ujima Jam was an opportunity to support their efforts. When I arrived on the farm, they were present, harvesting sweet potatoes and selling produce.
After I greeted the land and farmers, I got right to work. Farmer Michelle taught me how to cut weeds with a knife. Then she taught me how to use a broadfork to get underneath the sweet potatoes and loosen the soil. While Michelle was teaching, we talked about musical instruments (e.g. drums and saxophone) and the importance of growing our own food. 
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Throughout the day volunteers showed up at the farm. Children, parents, community members, OSW team members, apprentices and interns all added life to the soil. Collectively, we harvested sweet potatoes, made memories and enjoyed refreshments. It was wonderful seeing folks come together on a Sunday to support Sisters of the Soil.
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If this Ujima Jam was a song it would be, “People Make the World Go Round” by the Stylistics.

Thank you Farmers Michelle, Trina and Miriam for all the effort you put into your work that makes Sisters of the Soil possible. Thank you for teaching us how to nourish ourselves and the land we are on. Thank you for showing us the power of community.
Photo Credit: Aita
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