Healing trauma through horticultural therapy integrating modalities of ancestral wisdom, preserving nature and land, music, , gardening in my service to humanity.

My name is Lekeisha Simpson-Kelly  but those who truly know me call me "Keesh". I'm a fabulous genderqueer spirit being. My roots are from Mississippi by the way of the "Big Easy" bayou country of New Orleans,LA. I grew up in what most people would call the "country" in a small town known as Canton with my grandparents who gardened, hunted, and fished every season. My grandfather Henry gave me a hand full of seeds and taught me how to grow food. As a kid I was fascinated and amazed by this seemingly magical gift. I enjoyed my time planting, discovering, and watching Gaia/ Tonantzin (mother nature) creating and giving her best to us all. Most of my summers were spent planting, watering, harvesting and preserving a variety of vegetables, fruits and nuts learning to live in harmony with nature. My passion continued in the kitchen with my grandmother Rosie and aunt Carol who taught me how to cook, preserve, and store food during the winter months. Music has played a very important healing element in my life. My love for music was shared during family events and my inspiration was my aunt Arlena/Uncle John who were amazing musicians. 

After graduating from high school and entering college at Jackson State University my love for gardening, connecting with nature, and music was put on hold. I joined the U.S. Army. During my enlistment and in training I was physically injured and experienced various forms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.  Perseverance, dedication, my faith, and love carried me forward. I decided to relocate to Dallas, TX after Hurricane Katrina and met a fellow veteran who worked in a community garden and nutritional health store. I returned to my love for gardening and connecting with nature. I begin noticing the therapeutic benefits of my beloved passion. I begin studying and researching the benefits of horticulture therapy. I suddenly realized this form of therapy would help people just like me who suffer from traumatic experiences. I wanted to gain more knowledge and skills so I decided to search for programs that would allow me to assist me on my path.

I was  accepted into Starhawk Earth Activist Training "Regenerative Land Management certification program. This two year program includes an internship in a a foreign country to learn and build skills to broaden my perspective. The program includes learning basic Eco-literacy and system thinking, soil and carbon sequestration, water harvesting and cycles, forest conservation and management community organizing, agroforestry and perennial systems, social permaculture and homesteading skills.

I returned to the Bay area to  with farms and communities.   I'm currently networking with a number of land projects in the region focusing on regenerative land management practices. My goal is to combine these land practice with my passion for ancestral connection/reverence, holistic wellness, spirituality and African diasporic drumming. My goal is to develop the necessary skills, training, certifications and to humbly steward the land. I want to bring to these land healing practices to people who will help themselves while healing the land.


MY SHORT TERM GOALS

Housing support 

None of my healing and regenerative land work is possible without somewhere to call home. I am humbly and patiently receptive to whatever form housing may take at this time — be it financial support for rent, work trade for housing, subsidized or gifted space, etc. Constantly moving has proven difficult for me, so I am seeking a stable location in the Bay Area for 6 - 12 months.

African drums for teaching/workshops 

I’ve met and am partnering with teachers in the Bay Area as well as Jamaica who are offering internship/apprenticeship in learning traditional African diaspora songs and rhythms accessing ancestral knowledge. I would like to purchase a small collection of traditional African percussion instruments to help me start a series of private lessons and public workshops.



Internship overseas and travel expenses 

As stated above, part of my apprenticeship with Starhawk includes an internship overseas. I have the opportunity to partner with potential projects in Greece on a olive orchard, or in Jamaica to learn permaculture techniques and land management skills from Afia Walking Tree. Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed is a world-class percussionist, cultural ambassador, spiritual activist, empowerment facilitator, leadership development advocate and trainer

MY LONG TERM GOALS

My long term vision is to incorporate this knowledge through horticultural therapy and land stewardship teaching youth the importance of land preservation, honor and respect. Promoting the communities that resonate with my heart: veteran's especially female vets, LGBTQ community and those who've suffered from sexual trauma.

Being of service has given me a sense of purpose by connecting with amazing people, communities, building solidarity with my tribe and sharing knowledge and similar interest. My volunteer and service organizations include Oxford Tract, Grow Dat Urban Farm Youth Project, Refresh Project, UC Gill Tract Farm, Spiral Gardens, Golden Rabbit Ranch Farm, Soul Flower Farm, Black Earth Farms, New Orleans Food and Farm Network,, Canticle Farm, Amor Arts Farm, The Refuge, Waiea Acquaponics, Congo Square Preservation Society, Born to Drum, Daughters of the Goddess and AMORC.

I am truly grateful for any and all financial support you're willing to contribute.

Peace and many Blessings......

Connecting mother nature, community and all sentient beings.