Marginalised communities in the United States are increasingly turning to intentional communities as a means of safeguarding their cultural heritage and nurturing future generations. From California to Alabama, people of colour are establishing shared living spaces that not only embody their traditions but also promote ecological sustainability, community resilience, and self-reliance.
The Rise of Intentional Communities
Intentional communities, which are defined as groups of individuals choosing to live together based on shared values and mutual goals, have a long-standing history among Black Americans and Indigenous populations. These communities take various forms, from urban co-housing arrangements to rural ecovillages, all focused on collective governance and resource sharing. Following the end of enslavement, these groups historically provided crucial support systems for Black individuals seeking success amid systemic oppression.
In recent years, there has been a notable resurgence in the establishment of intentional communities, with Black and brown individuals in states like Alabama, Massachusetts, and California looking to reconnect with their ancestral agricultural practices and ecological wisdom. As Melissa Hellmann reported, this movement is often framed as a response to gentrification and the need for safe havens where cultural identity can thrive.
A Healing Journey in California
One such example is Black to the Land, an ecovillage in Boonville, California, founded by Zappa Montag and his daughter, Bibi Sarai, in 2015. Frustrated by the gentrification they witnessed in Oakland, the duo envisioned a sanctuary that would cultivate a healing environment for Black individuals. After acquiring land from the Emerald Earth Sanctuary, which was seeking new stewards, Montag and his community began to develop a space centred on agriculture, wellness, and education.
Tragedy struck in 2023 when Bibi Sarai passed away unexpectedly, leaving Montag uncertain about the future of their project. However, after receiving feedback from visitors who experienced healing and upliftment at the site, he felt compelled to continue their shared vision. This decision led to his permanent relocation to the ecovillage, where he now focuses on community building and agricultural education.
Montag and the other stewards actively engage in fundraising and skill-sharing workshops, with a commitment to self-reliance and independence. They cultivate traditional crops, provide herbal remedies, and even collaborate with international ecovillage leaders to enhance their sustainable practices. The community operates on a model of shared responsibilities, where everyone contributes to the upkeep and growth of their living environment.
Cultural Preservation and Empowerment
In Alabama, the Ekvn-Yefolecv ecovillage, established by the Indigenous Maskoke people, is reclaiming land from which they were forcibly removed nearly two centuries ago. Founded in 2018, this community focuses on ancestral practices, including language immersion and traditional ecological knowledge. They manage over 3,100 hectares (7,674 acres) of land, utilising sustainable agricultural practices that honour their cultural heritage.
Co-founder Marcus Briggs-Cloud emphasises the importance of living in alignment with their ecological values, stating, “Instead of changing our language to accommodate the environmentally abusive realities of settler-colonial industrial capitalist ideology, we needed to change the way we live.” This approach not only reinforces cultural identity but also serves as a blueprint for other Indigenous groups striving for ecological sustainability.
Similarly, in central Massachusetts, the Solidarity Arts & Education Decolonial Initiatives (SAEDi) collective is fostering a communal living space for women of colour. This art collective, led by Afro-Latine filmmaker Julivic Marquez, operates with an emphasis on mutual support and resource sharing. Members engage in creative projects while navigating the challenges of systemic inequities.
A Legacy of Community Resilience
The legacy of intentional living among Black communities in the U.S. can be traced back to the civil rights movement, notably with the establishment of New Communities in Albany, Georgia. Founded in 1969 by civil rights activists, this pioneering farming community aimed to provide a sustainable living environment for Black sharecroppers displaced by systemic discrimination. Although the original vision faced numerous challenges, including financial instability, the community continues to inspire new generations.
Today, the leaders of New Communities are committed to mentoring younger activists and fostering the development of new intentional communities that promote land stewardship and cultural heritage. As Shirley Sherrod articulated, “Working together, there’s all kinds of organising going on in order to move forward.”
Why it Matters
The resurgence of intentional communities among marginalised groups is a crucial response to systemic oppression and cultural erasure. These spaces not only provide a refuge for individuals seeking to reclaim their identities but also foster resilience and self-sufficiency. By creating environments where traditional practices can flourish, these communities are not merely surviving; they are thriving—transforming landscapes into living testaments of cultural heritage and communal strength. As the movement grows, it holds the potential to reshape narratives around race, identity, and belonging in an increasingly fragmented world.
