Our Impact
Our Engagement
31 Organizations Served
758 Participants Reached
In The Press
Cincinatti Public Radio WXVU Spot
Press Release - Ohio Humanities Grant
Institute for Community Justice and Wellbeing (ICJW) at Miami University’s College of Education, Health & Society
Virtual Toronto Summer Institute 2020 – Ideas That Matter
What people are saying
“Danyetta and Freda have created something special…. The interactive format creatively engages participants in processing a profoundly complex issue. The content was accurate and well researched."
[The Project] has helped me to be a better listener, but it has also forced me to take a deep dive into the painful conversation of racism in America. I've spoken to hundreds of people now and participated in a few well organized conversations. BATP is by far the most immersive and educational group experience I've had.”
— Derona King, Participant
“The storytelling really personalized the emotional experience of loss, destruction and shame that’s embedded our society’s systemic, codified and intentional violence towards Black Americans... It has really has helped me continue to reflect on how to deepen my personal reflection, strategies, actions, and decision-making to create equity not only in my organization’s mission and programs; but in how we do our work as a business team.”
— Reba Hennesey, Participant
“This couldn’t be more timely and it is important to make the experience available to as many people as the originators have the capacity to reach… I remember my experience of [the project] as a highlight of persuasive action and hold it in mind as I write.”
— John O’Brien, Participant
Move toward Love
acknowledge the past
learn from experiences new and old
share the path
move toward love
accept mistakes
lean on each other
shape the future
move toward love
allow yourself to grieve
listen more than you speak
stretch, grow, reach
move toward love
amble deliberately
live with grace and dignity
show others the same
move toward love
— Danny Hoover, Participant’s Reflections
Courageous Community Conversations
Engaging in courageous community conversations, with people outside of our echo chambers, are becoming more and more vital for a civil response to the pervasive realities to old narratives. Through its design process, The Black American Tree Project has evolved to include rich conversations between participants after the project portion convenes.
These conversations spark and build empathy, set the stage for deeper understanding, create an environment for people to hold space, and answer questions about racial inequity from lived experiences.
Black Americans share their perspectives in diverse racial company where their voices are being heard and where their lived experiences are being affirmed. The courageous community conversations educates people in a unique environment that creates opportunities for people to listen, acknowledge, and be authentically accountable in their own spheres of influence beyond the project.