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What do sunrises mean to you? I see every sunrise as an opportunity An opportunity to live out our mission on Earth The HoodHealer reminds us, as long as we have the breath we have options Ujima Jams are an option we have to support Black land stewards in the DMV and connect with like-minded souls.  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
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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
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. 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
What 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 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.  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
The 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. 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. 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. Photo & Video Credit: OurSpace Team
What 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.  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.  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
What 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. 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
There 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. 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.  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
I'm on a double mission here on Earth. Individually, I am here to grow and learn as a soul. And, I am here to collectively grow and sustain sacred environments where folks can be their whole self and proud of their contributions on Earth. Earlier this year, I knew I needed more opportunities to be active in my double mission. I felt ready to show up in a way I haven’t before. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I found OurSpace World. In May, I attended an in-person Ujima Jam (an opportunity to help each other out on farms). This Jam was at A Heart 4 People Farm with Farmer Michele Coleman. I remember driving to the community farm and being unsure if I was in the right place. Soon after, I met folks that ensured I was exactly where I needed to be. Farmer Michele is a guiding light. She greeted me with open arms and let me know how I can support her tasks with the skills I already had. I spent the day in community with folks who value land, farmers, reciprocity and ancestral wisdom. I left that Ujima Jam with my heart full. I knew I would return. In the Summer, I stayed connected with OurSpace World and waited for an aligned opportunity where I could show up in a meaningful way. The Ujima Jams became an entry point. I spent some time with OurSpace World team members, apprentices, interns and farmers who all believe in collective work and responsibility. On October 22nd, I returned to A Heart 4 People for another Ujima Jam. But, this time I had a deeper appreciation for the Jams because I experienced some of the planning and action required to make it possible.  I saw how dedicated Farmer Michele is to sustaining her farm and faith in God. I saw how committed OurSpace World is to making their vision a reality. I saw how supporting Black and other underserved farmers is an act of love. I innerstand why my guides have called me here at this time. During the Ujima Jam at A Heart 4 People, we worked on Farmer Michele’s tasks and listened to music. Karla Felecia Scaife’s “shining on me” played and I smiled. We took a break to taste some okra that was hand-breaded by the OurSpace World apprentices and toasted by Aita. Farmer Michele isn’t a fan of okra but she tried it anyway! We did not complete all the tasks on Farmer Michele’s list. But those who attended were able to support her efforts and leave her with a message. There is more work to be done. When I was driving away from the farm, Farmer Michele was still working. Thank you Farmer Michele for being a remarkable and exceptional guide on Earth.  Photo Credit: MJ & Aita
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MJI am everything and I am nothing. 
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