Rebecca & Jasmine's Wedding Fund
Donation protected
“I want people to know that I love you,” Jasmine told Rebecca on an afternoon in late spring 2020. Rebecca, of course, replied with a resounding and incredibly on-brand, “BET,” and thus the scheming began.
Days later, Rebecca rolled up to Jasmine’s backyard with a bullhorn, a protest sign and a simple message: “Black Love Matters,” formally asking for Jasmine’s hand in booship.
How we met:
The first time was in 2016 at a Juvenile Justice seminar in the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch. We know what you’re thinking, we locked eyes from across the room, mouths agape, music swelling, turtle doves materializing from thin air; but the truth is that Jasmine actually first witnessed the beauty of Rebecca…..…’s shoes. These oil slick shoes first gifted to them were now a gift unto the world! Working the table in the back while simultaneously working the hell out of these dark, rouge-tinted statement makers, we bonded over the moment, enjoying each other’s style and energy in a moment that felt like we’d been friends before. Newly in love (again, with the shoes) legend has it was here that Jasmine confirmed that if Rebecca was walking through the world like this, she’d be down to walk side by side wherever they’re going.
Our friendship grew and deepened after May of 2018 when we were called to respond to a catalytic event in our lives and Richmond: the police murder of 26-year-old, black educator Marcus-David Peters. Peters, who was experiencing a mental health crisis was met with lethal force at the hands of Richmond law enforcement when he needed help.
We spent hours around a wooden table in the basement of Second Baptist Church West End, with our comrades, faith leaders and a grieving yet resilient family. There, we decided to make it impossible for this city to forget the name Marcus-David Peters.
That work has led to countless marches, town halls, teach-ins, art builds, op-eds, and hundreds of people being politicized all for the Justice and Reformation movement. Our lives were bound to this duty then, and we continue to commit our lives to that mission now, a commitment we made together.
Juneteenth engagement:
At midnight on Juneteenth, the day Black people celebrate our emancipation from slavery, we made the choice to commit our lives to one another through marriage. It felt so surreal, and so right. Our time organizing together has continued to lead us to a place of deep trust, healthy communication, and creative problem solving; the cornerstones of any meaningful relationship. We know that we are our ancestor’s wildest dreams, and we are making a commitment to make them proud with our union, loving and nourishing one another through marriage.
The ask:
For our wedding, we have made the decision to raise funds to afford it. We’ve witnessed firsthand what little miracles can happen when a community comes together and we are asking for your help in making this possible. The funds that you contribute will go to sufficiently compensating our talented comrades and friends who are our florists, musicians, officiants, cooks, photographers, and artists of varying media. Our friends and comrades have answered the calls to action for justice by donating their time, talent, and energy to the movement. Your donation will also cover the cost of materials needed to pull off our country queer farm wedding and keep our guests safe during COVID-19.
We expect that some friends and comrades may refuse compensation, in which case we will donate their payment to an organization or individual of their choosing and find a creative way to thank them directly. If we exceed our goal, those funds will be split between Southerner’s On New Ground and our nest egg fund which is being organized by our queer fam. We want this day to be shared, redistributing funds to our people and celebrating our love the best way we know how to. Together.
Black love is essential.
Days later, Rebecca rolled up to Jasmine’s backyard with a bullhorn, a protest sign and a simple message: “Black Love Matters,” formally asking for Jasmine’s hand in booship.
How we met:
The first time was in 2016 at a Juvenile Justice seminar in the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch. We know what you’re thinking, we locked eyes from across the room, mouths agape, music swelling, turtle doves materializing from thin air; but the truth is that Jasmine actually first witnessed the beauty of Rebecca…..…’s shoes. These oil slick shoes first gifted to them were now a gift unto the world! Working the table in the back while simultaneously working the hell out of these dark, rouge-tinted statement makers, we bonded over the moment, enjoying each other’s style and energy in a moment that felt like we’d been friends before. Newly in love (again, with the shoes) legend has it was here that Jasmine confirmed that if Rebecca was walking through the world like this, she’d be down to walk side by side wherever they’re going.
Our friendship grew and deepened after May of 2018 when we were called to respond to a catalytic event in our lives and Richmond: the police murder of 26-year-old, black educator Marcus-David Peters. Peters, who was experiencing a mental health crisis was met with lethal force at the hands of Richmond law enforcement when he needed help.
We spent hours around a wooden table in the basement of Second Baptist Church West End, with our comrades, faith leaders and a grieving yet resilient family. There, we decided to make it impossible for this city to forget the name Marcus-David Peters.
That work has led to countless marches, town halls, teach-ins, art builds, op-eds, and hundreds of people being politicized all for the Justice and Reformation movement. Our lives were bound to this duty then, and we continue to commit our lives to that mission now, a commitment we made together.
Juneteenth engagement:
At midnight on Juneteenth, the day Black people celebrate our emancipation from slavery, we made the choice to commit our lives to one another through marriage. It felt so surreal, and so right. Our time organizing together has continued to lead us to a place of deep trust, healthy communication, and creative problem solving; the cornerstones of any meaningful relationship. We know that we are our ancestor’s wildest dreams, and we are making a commitment to make them proud with our union, loving and nourishing one another through marriage.
The ask:
For our wedding, we have made the decision to raise funds to afford it. We’ve witnessed firsthand what little miracles can happen when a community comes together and we are asking for your help in making this possible. The funds that you contribute will go to sufficiently compensating our talented comrades and friends who are our florists, musicians, officiants, cooks, photographers, and artists of varying media. Our friends and comrades have answered the calls to action for justice by donating their time, talent, and energy to the movement. Your donation will also cover the cost of materials needed to pull off our country queer farm wedding and keep our guests safe during COVID-19.
We expect that some friends and comrades may refuse compensation, in which case we will donate their payment to an organization or individual of their choosing and find a creative way to thank them directly. If we exceed our goal, those funds will be split between Southerner’s On New Ground and our nest egg fund which is being organized by our queer fam. We want this day to be shared, redistributing funds to our people and celebrating our love the best way we know how to. Together.
Black love is essential.
Fundraising team: Jas & Ro (2)
Rebecca Wooden Keel
Organizer
Richmond, VA
Jasmine Leeward
Team member
