Rebuild the Living Museum from Africa to Oakland

Greetings all!

It's Mizan and Sizwe, the Co-creators of Spearitwurx and the Experience Sankofa Project Living Museum. We are an Oakland-based, Black-led organization, and have created an amazing experience as part of our work to inspire intergenerational wellness and racial healing. The Experience Sankofa Project is an innovative installation exhibit that combines history, live performance art, and sacred altars into an interactive timeline of African and American history. History truly comes to life in our Living Museum! Check out this video to get a sense of the Project:

OUR WORK

We have used the Sankofa Project to support courageous conversations about race, power, and the possibilities for a just and peaceful future with youth, schools, businesses, and government agencies. It is our love offering that has had a tremendous impact on the hearts and minds of the community at a time when racial tensions are high, and polarization is crippling our communities. All people need space to "tell our stories to the world" to help build empathy, equity, and belonging as we move racial healing forward.

OUR NEED

Since 2020, the Experience Sankofa Project has been temporarily housed at Eastmont Mall in East Oakland, CA. Unfortunately, Eastmont is old and in need of repairs. The recent atmospheric rivers that drenched most of California had a devastating impact on our Center. The entire front of the Experience Sankofa Project flooded and we have been forced to close. While repairs are forthcoming, our lease is expiring, and instead of enduring dilapidation, we are looking for a beautiful permanent home to rebuild the Experience Sankofa Project and expand our capacity to support school field trips and larger conferences for racial healing and community wellness.

OUR IMPACT

Since 2020, our live and virtual offerings of the Experience Sankofa Project have been shared with over 6000 people and well-received by all. 100% of participants surveyed said they would “recommend the experience to others”. 93% of participants said they “will use this experience to help make a positive change in our world”.

One Stanford University student said the Experience Sankofa Project was “Amazing! I felt like Stanford students, faculty, and community members were all coming together to give space for racial injustice and acknowledge our history. I really appreciated the guided facilitation and the opportunity to meet more peers and share stories. Thank you for this one-of-a-kind experience.”

Many participants have compared our humble grassroots museum to be on par with the African American Museum in Washington DC. Reflections resound on the powerful impact of this work in helping to create space for essential dialogue around race, power, identity, history, culture, and aspirations.

OUR ASK

Lynn Twist reminds us, "Money given to make a difference does”. Our goal is to raise $1,619,000 in 61 days to rebuild the Experience Sankofa Project Living Museum and support our operations for the first year in our new space. We have received support and pledges from the GeoFamily Foundation, Dr. Bronners Soap Company, the Black Freedom Fund, and the Community Ready Corp to preserve this West Coast institution.

This GoFundMe campaign is to raise $16,190 from families and individuals with good hearts who are willing to invest in this community-led healing-centered experience that transforms lives. Can we count on your support to help move this important work forward? Please feel free to share this with those who can and elevate the work of Black Led organizations and support racial healing.

ABOUT SPEARITWURX

SPEARITWURX is an Oakland-based organization founded in 2004 that inspires Intergenerational Wellness & Racial Healing. SPEARITWURX is Co-Created by the husband & wife team, Mizan and Sizwe. Mizan Alkebulan-Abakah, MPH, CYT-500 is an Artist, Organizer, Healer & Social Scientist. Sizwe Andrews-Abakah is a Change Maker, Performing Artist, Farmer & Facilitator. We create experiences to transform lives through Cultural Events, Community Convenings, Professional Consulting, and Wellness Coaching for Families, Schools, Organizations, Businesses, and Government agencies. Our work is creative, courageous, and inspired by love.

Please see our website and social media pages for more information and to sign up for our mailing list to stay connected.

www.spearitwurx.com and Instagram: @SpearitwurxOakland

I am Because we are! We Because I am! May the Circle Be Unbroken!

In Gratitude,

Mizan and Sizwe

Co-Creators of Spearitwurx