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UHURU DREAM HOUSE

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The Uhuru Dream House #SNATCHPOWER is a BLACK OWNED space in NOLA that will offer:
Protection and shelter for the Black, queer, trans, intersex community in the event of an emergency
Transitional housing for unsheltered Black, queer, trans, intersex, sex workers
Wheelchair accessible home
Rehabilitation spaces to heal
Garden space to grow food and practice meditation
Community Events & Workshops
Art Gallery and Exhibits
Artist residencies for Black, queer, trans, intersex beings

Background

Uhuru is a celebrated artist who spent the majority of the past decade in Los Angeles, now located in New Orleans, LA..  Uhuru is the Co-Founder, guitar player and singer of Fuck U Pay Us and is Founder of the "POST-APOCALYPTIC, AFROFUTURISTIC, QUEER LIBERATIONIST ARTIST COLLECTIVE" #SNATCHPOWER. Uhuru has directed, produced and starred in independent films, including "Fight in Heels" and "Channeling Calafia". Uhuru has released six full length albums and ten music videos as The Uhuruverse. Uhuru organizes countless shows and events for community and is a frequent speaking artist around the country. 

Uhuru is also a poor, Black, disabled persxn in Amerikkka. Due to hxstoric systematic racism in the housing system (i.e. redlining & The Homestead Act of 1862), they have been denied access to property and financial well-being their entire life. Uhuru has experiences being unsheltered and on Section 8 housing throughout their life. They've stayed with a variety of family members, lived in motels, vehicles and other vulnerable situations. Uhuru was displaced from their last living situation in Los Angeles and, as their health was simultaneously declining, needed to find an immediate, more affordable place to live. They drove their Black Magic School Bus to New Orleans, where they reside today.   

Living with Myasthenia Gravis

Uhuru was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) at the age of 7 (making them a 'one-in-a-million'), a disease that normally effects people over the age of 40. They spent extensive time in intensive care units growing up, on feeding tubes and in hospital beds. Uhuru had multiple surgeries for MG, resulting in recurring long-term healing processes. At times when they were able to leave the hospital, the medical system required them to be on medication and in constant contact with a neurologist.

Uhuru lived through their 20s and early 30s with their MG in relapse, self-medicating as needed. The disease has made its way back and Uhuru is currently experiencing a loss of abilities, at a rapid state. Uhuru is currently wheelchaired /paraplegic. In addition, Uhuru is a trans being, whose transition is now on hold, as they now must navigate their MG. The need for hospitalization is imminent.

Uhuru's mom is a poor, Black woman, navigating her own struggles, who just moved from Arizona to New Orleans, to take care of Uhuru. Their mom was working two jobs as an essential worker, trying to save money amidst the COVID-19 crisis, putting her own body on the line each day. Her relocation was urgent and she is now recouping the costs of moving across the country. Uhuru's mum is caretaking for Uhuru. They are not receiving aid from The State.

Uhuru continuously uses their platform to confront these realities and struggles, on personal and systemic levels. 

"Addressing housing for the disabled is a need and a right, not an option" -Uhuru

"Black people are constantly experiencing violence from; being displaced to being violently attacked by white civilians and police with no consequences to follow. A Black life on the street is a life at risk in a fascist state." - Uhuru

THE UHURU DREAM HOUSE

Uhuru dreams to create  a Safe Art House for Black, queer, trans & intersex beings. Within that space there will be a library, garden, meditation room, sauna/spa, computer room, music studio, film studio, art studio, gym, dance studio, room and board. 

Uhuru would like to leave the door open to all Black Indigenous beings to come to create or for transitional housing for those who are unsheltered: A SAFE HOUSE.

In the midst of being on bed rest last month, Uhuru located housing for themself and negotiated with the owner of the property an agreement to accept a $1,500 intent-to-buy deposit and minimum appraisal amount of $150,000 to purchase the home. From this home they have already BEGUN HOUSING FOLX IN NEED. THIS WORK IS IN PROGRESS.

 Financial Breakdown and Goals: 
$150,000 - Initial cost of the house to own
$2,000 - the cost of moving Uhuru's mom from Arizona to New Orleans
$1,400 - monthly rent 
$700 for a new wheelchair 
$ for a real estate lawyer to look at the contract
$ for a real estate broker
$ for contracting and construction to create a space that is wheelchair accessible
$ for medicine 
$ for hospital bills
$ for medical supplies
$ for in-home care
$ for essential items and food

#SNATCHPOWER is a post-apocalyptic, Black Indigenous futuristic, queer liberationist artist collective of humans who are deliberate and fearless. We are diverse in how we define ourselves in terms of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and religion, but united in our commitment to self-definition, self-expression, self-governance, and non-hierarchical collaboration. We endeavor to subvert the hegemonic mainstream through radical Black Indigenous Queer artistic expression. In coming together to harness the transformative power of this creative energy, we can and will #SNATCHPOWER from those who try to oppress ours.

Questions: 
-Instagram: @theuhuruverse 
-Website: https://snatchpower.com/
-Email: [email redacted]
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Donations 

  • Ashleigh Richelle
    • $10
    • 4 mos
  • Elias Lin
    • $20
    • 1 yr
  • Cj Hollingsworth Miller
    • $300
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $5
    • 1 yr
  • Aubrey Keady-Molanphy
    • $30
    • 1 yr
Donate

Fundraising team (2)

Uhuru Moor
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
Sissy Hallah
Team member

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