Marginalised groups across the United States are increasingly turning to intentional communities as a means to protect their cultural heritage and pass down traditional practices to future generations. From ecovillages to co-housing arrangements, these communal living spaces are more than just homes; they serve as vital havens where individuals can reconnect with their roots and foster resilience against systemic oppression.
Cultivating Community in California
In the heart of California’s rural landscape, Zappa Montag and a group of Black stewards have come together to create Black to the Land, an ecovillage in Boonville. Spread across 76 hectares (189 acres), this sanctuary is not merely a residential project; it embodies a vision to “reverse-gentrify the country.” Montag, alongside his daughter Bibi Sarai, founded this community in 2015 as a response to the gentrification they witnessed in Oakland. Their dream was to establish a healing space that prioritises the well-being of Black individuals surrounded by nature.
After securing stewardship of the Emerald Earth Sanctuary in 2021, originally established by white activists in 1989, Montag and his team began to breathe new life into the land. “It’s been a reparations type of project,” Montag explained, emphasising the importance of learning stewardship and the knowledge needed to care for this space. Tragically, the unexpected loss of Bibi Sarai in February 2023 posed a significant challenge for the community. Yet, the positive impact of the land on visitors helped Montag recognise the necessity of continuing their shared dream.
Building Skills and Resilience
As Black to the Land develops, its members are honing agricultural skills through mentorship and community workshops. Ranging in age from their late 20s to mid-50s, residents are learning to live sustainably, relying on fundraising and grants to maintain the property. With the support of organisations like Sankofa Roots, they are gaining valuable land-based skills, from structure building to foraging. The community operates on a model of shared responsibility, where everyone contributes to chores and communal living.
Montag envisions a self-reliant community, echoing sentiments shared by many across the nation. “It feels like things are precarious out there these days,” he said, reflecting the growing apprehension felt by many individuals of colour in the current sociopolitical landscape. As they work together to create a safe space, they are also reclaiming their right to heal and thrive.
Reviving Ancestral Practices in Alabama
Across the country in Alabama, Indigenous Maskoke people are re-establishing their connection to the land through the ecovillage of Ekvn-Yefolecv. Founded in 2018 after reacquiring ancestral land, this community embodies a matriarchal structure that promotes the use of their ancestral language and ecological practices. Members are dedicated to sustaining traditional agricultural methods, growing regional crops, and reviving endangered species.
Marcus Briggs-Cloud, a co-founder of Ekvn-Yefolecv, emphasised the need to recreate a society where their language thrives, 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 holistic approach not only preserves their culture but also serves as a model for other Indigenous communities striving for ecological sustainability.
Collaborative Spaces in Massachusetts
In central Massachusetts, the Solidarity Arts & Education Decolonial Initiatives (SAEDi) collective represents another facet of this movement. This art collective for women of colour not only provides a home but also fosters a nurturing environment for creativity and collaboration. Under the guidance of Afro-Latine filmmaker Julivic Marquez and grant writer K Melchor Quick Hall, the collective focuses on issues of food sovereignty, Black reparations, and prison abolition.
Residents contribute to the household in ways that suit their circumstances, whether through rent, food preparation, or childcare. “Ultimately, we don’t pretend as though things are equal,” Hall acknowledged, highlighting the need for a supportive infrastructure that acknowledges varying levels of privilege. Their monthly meetings, conducted in both Spanish and English, aim to cultivate a sense of security and belonging in an increasingly hostile environment for immigrant families and women of colour.
Why it Matters
The rise of intentional communities among Black and Indigenous peoples represents a powerful response to historical injustices and ongoing disparities in society. These communal spaces are not merely about cohabitation; they are about reclaiming identity, culture, and agency in an era marked by systemic oppression. By fostering environments rooted in shared values and mutual support, these communities are paving the way for a more inclusive future, where healing and resilience flourish amid adversity. As they thrive, they inspire others to explore communal living as a pathway to reclaim their heritage and build a sustainable future.
