Support Catrice's Healing and Restoration

As a descendant enslaved Africans residing in a country where Blackness is dehumanized and vilified it creates an emotional, physical and spiritual toll on the lives of Black people in the United States. We have been resisting and fighting this anti-Black violence since 1619 and to no avail still experience it today. This daily toll becomes even more detrimental to our health when we are activists, educators and freedom fighters in the movement for Black lives. The dehumanization, oppression, violence and criminalization is killing Black people emotionally, spiritually and literally every single day. This incessant violence doesn't allow time to breathe, it doesn't allow for complete peace nor does it allow for a vibrant quality of life. Because the potential threat is always on the hunt lurking in every space and place. 

I've had the opportunity and privilege to discover what my African ancestral roots are. Several years ago I discovered that my ancestors originate from Cameroon and Nigeria and learned the exact tribes my people come from. What a blessing to finally know who I am and where I come from. A lot of Black folks in America don't know this stolen, valuable information or have had the privilege to discover it through DNA testing. 

As a racial justice educator, activist, and freedom fighter I am fighting for justice day in and day out with literally no days off because racism doesn't go on vacation or sleep. And yes it takes a toll on my mind, body, and soul. So much that in September, 2020 I took a 14-day sabbatical to rest and restore. My mind, body and soul needed this time to pause, reflect, heal and rejuvenate.  And after four months I can feel it's time to sabbatical again. But this time I need to do it at home. Home being the Motherland of Africa. 

I need a Sankofa moment. Sankofa is an African word meaning "go back and get it or to reclaim." Through generations of captivity and oppression, Black folks have had their ancestral heritage and traditions taken away. Many of us don't know our native tongue, our tribal traditions or our ancestral healing practices. I need to go back and get it. I need to put my feet on the ground in the Motherland. I need to speak to my elders, ancestors and tribal community. I need to be washed in African tradition and do some releasing and spiritual healing at HOME. 

Therefore I am organizing this hopes, dreams and wishes fundraiser for myself to make that dream of going home for healing a reality. The trip will be expensive for the amount of time I will be there and I want to go without financial struggle. All funds raised will support a two-fold trip. 

1. A trip to Tennessee to visit the plantation (that still exists) and burial grounds of my ancestors who were stolen from Africa and sold into brutal servitude . 

2. A trip to Africa to reconnect to my roots, reclaim my heritage, commune with my elders and tribe and to receive my destiny steps from my ancestors. 

This would be a dream come true and would provide healing that doctors could never provide. This would also benefit future generations for me to be able to bring back our ancestral wisdom so it can be passed on to future generations. 

Thank you for reading my story. I would be grateful for your support in my dream to Go HOME For Healing.