Grantee Spotlight: Atlas of Blackness

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MRAC’s Grantee Spotlight is a new series to showcase the impact of MRAC’s funding across communities.

ATLAS OF BLACKNESS

Disciplines: Multimedia, Grassroots Storytelling, Artistic Research | MRAC Grant Program: Flexible Support 2024

Logo Design by: Amir Khadar. Image Description: The logo for Atlas of Blackness features an illustration of a Black woman with intricate braided hair, wearing a white off-the-shoulder top and pearl earrings. She holds an open blue book from which light emanates, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment. In the center of her chest, there is an image of a globe, signifying global awareness and unity. The background consists of a gradient orange circle, representing warmth and energy. The organization’s name, “Atlas of Blackness,” is written in a curved, bold black font encircling the top of the illustration.

About This Grantee

Atlas of Blackness is a grassroots, multimedia, artistic, and research-based organization dedicated to empowering Black youth under the age of thirty in the Twin Cities. Established in 2021, their mission is to mentor and provide resources for Black youth impacted by the juvenile justice and foster care systems, enabling them to document the untold stories of Black communities.

Atlas of Blackness was founded by a formerly incarcerated foster child whose life experiences inspired her to make a significant impact on the lives of Black youth facing similar challenges. With a background in clinical social work, combined with expertise in research and filmmaking, their founder Lucina Kayee envisioned an organization that would equip Black youth with the skills and opportunities to conduct research and tell the stories of the communities they have been displaced from.

Since its inception, Atlas of Blackness has been committed to reclaiming narratives, amplifying marginalized voices, and preserving the history of Black communities. Their programs offer practical support and development opportunities for Black youth, equipping them with the tools they need to become the next generation of creators and leaders.

Through workshops and training sessions, multimedia production projects, and mutual aid support, Atlas of Blackness continues to make a profound impact in the Twin Cities. Their core services are designed to foster a sense of community, build confidence, and nurture the talents of Black youth, ensuring their voices are heard and their stories are told.

In just a few short years, Atlas of Blackness has established itself as a vital resource and advocate for Black youth, helping to shape a future where their contributions are recognized and celebrated. Their commitment to empowering Black youth and preserving the history of Black communities remains at the heart of everything they do. They look forward to continuing this important work for many years to come.

Image Description: Two young people peer into a camera propped up on a table in the kitchenette of an office space. The young person to the left wears a slicked back low bun with middle part and has on a light gray long-sleeved graphic shirt on. The young person on the right has their hair bob-length twists and is wearing a black hoodie. They are both smiling and observe a picture they have taken with a professional grade camera. One of the young people has their arm over the back of the other young person. Just behind them a young person in a light blue jacket and with a black face mask on is taking a photo of them with a smart phone. In the far distance of the image a young person out of focus sits in a chair wearing a Black baseball cap. Photo Courtesy of Atlas of Blackness.

Impact Statement

“Most foster youth don’t have a parent who can give them access to their community knowledge, so from the start of a foster child being put in the back of a police car, from the start of a Black child being put in a detention facility, or in an emergency foster care placement, they no longer have that access or protection.

Which means when a young person is going through these systems, they don’t have a way to develop into their own selves. Instead, they mold into the communities they’re being forced into. For me, I wanted Atlas of Blackness to be a space where Black children can relearn what their Blackness means to them and also learn how to re-enter the communities they were ripped away from, in a way that was not exploitative. Often, when a foster youth reconnects to their own community, that can also be a traumatic experience for them.

That’s one of the reasons why our organization has a clinical social work background modeled into the work we do, especially with our Black Scholars program. We work with Saint Cathrine’s University to bring its social workers in, because even though it’s a beautiful thing that we’re bringing these youth back to their communities and letting them learn about their Blackness in a way that’s not attached to foster care, we’re also providing them with the support they need as they regain their own agency.

Thanks to MRAC’s funding, we are poised to welcome more Black fellows into our Black Scholars Fellowship program, enriching our community and broadening our reach. This infusion of support will specifically enable us to provide invaluable opportunities for Black foster youth and youth impacted by the juvenile justice system to delve into the culinary traditions of the Black communities from which they have been displaced. This exploration transcends the realm of food; it serves as a bridge to reconnect individuals with their heritage, preserving cultural memory and fostering a profound sense of belonging.

For instance, one of our upcoming projects will see these young people working alongside community elders to document and recreate traditional recipes. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about capturing stories, passing down wisdom, and creating a living archive of our culinary heritage. Imagine a young person who has never touched a camera before, now empowered to document their own community’s history and traditions, gaining skills and confidence along the way. The impact of such experiences is immeasurable, providing both personal growth and a strengthened communal bond.

Additionally, the MRAC funding will support our arts programming, allowing us to compensate our fellows, community elders, and youth participants who contribute to our community culinary classes and participatory research projects. This compensation is vital; it ensures that everyone involved feels valued and recognized for their contributions. It’s a tangible acknowledgment of the time, effort, and expertise that each person brings to our collective endeavors.

In essence, MRAC’s funding is pivotal to our mission of nurturing, uplifting, and empowering Black youth, ensuring their stories are told and their voices heard. We are profoundly grateful for this support, which not only sustains our programs but also enables us to create meaningful, lasting impacts within our community. Through these initiatives, we are building a stronger, more connected community where every member feels seen, heard, and appreciated.”

– Lucina Kayee, Executive Director, Researcher & Filmmaker

Image Description: A young person with a jean jacket stands behind and operates a camera. Two additional young people are on their left and right, watching the camera operations. They are in the process of prepping to film an interview with a fourth person in the background. The youth are in an artfully decorated office room.

Stay Connected

MRAC’s Grantee Spotlight is a new series to showcase the impact of MRAC’s funding across communities.

Stay connected with this month’s grantee: Atlas of Blackness

Social Media

X & IG  @AOBMinnesota

Upcoming events

Black Scholars Showcase

Friday, August 16th, 6pm to 8pm

Location: To Be Announced

More about the event from Lucina:

“Join us for an inspiring evening of art, film, and conversation. This art exhibit will feature a diverse array of artwork created by these young artists.

You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in their visual expressions and gain insight into their creative journeys.

In addition to the art exhibit, there will be a special preview of their upcoming film, offering a glimpse into the history of Black organizing in Minnesota, the events that led to the 2020 uprising, and its impact on Black Minnesotans.

Stay for the artist talkback session, where you’ll hear firsthand how participating in this program has impacted these young artists. This is a unique chance to engage with them, learn about their experiences, and celebrate their achievements.

Come out and support these young people, witness their artistic expressions, and be part of a community that values and uplifts Black youth. We look forward to seeing you there!”

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