The Solutionaries Collective

Spring 2023 - Issue 5

You familiar with that feeling of newness – of renewedness that comes with the smell + feel of Spring? Me? I begin to shed the old, dry skin that is no more. New visions; some revised. But again, I am alive.

🌸🌸🌸

I welcomed Spring on the evening of its Equinox, among strangers and friends. There was food, laughs, cries, and the kids were cared for. We spent our evening with a community altar, and in ritual rooted in reflection + writing, leading to us burying written thoughts in mycelium for a chance of rebirth, starting anew. Those facilitating the space magically left us feeling more together than we started while simultaneously leaving us to wonder, ‘what does community mean and look like to me?’

Clearer vision for me has me seeing who truly sees me for me. Who’s there to protect me and build new worlds that are rooted in power for all people. You see, there’s power within holding space for mutual respect, vulnerability, acknowledgement and understanding – but also hard conversations. It’s the root of providing for our needs.. Besides, we can’t build anew without it.

Pick a struggle or all the struggles; however you see them within you. But make sure you see others for theirs too. Where’s your community? How are y’all building worlds anew?

Welcome to the Spring ‘23 edition of The Solutionaries Collective (fka Eastside Solutionaries Collective)! Yes, that’s right we changed our name to encompass ALL of Detroit. Besides, Solutionaries are everywhere. You’ll find themes of art, creativity, and culture sprinkled throughout this issue – all rooted in the sense of community found within them. Enjoy!

Be sure to check out the end of this newsletter for the quote I was left with the night of Spring Equinox, alongside friends and strangers. I dare you to question which friends and strangers are truly your community after reading it.

In love + struggle,

In this issue:

Community Highlights:
Coffee for us: an intro to Family Only Coffee
Waste bins for Detroit Community Fridges
We be Jammin'... at 291 Kulture HUB
Feature story: BOY talk w/ Srch Engn
Community showcase:
Revolution pt. 1 by Krystal Nikol
Creating space for all of our SPICEE selves
Homegirl Chill by Ambirr Momon
The Power of Communication & Connection
Bullet Train
Garage Cultural
Andy Arts Center
Critically connect with us!

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Community Highlights

Coffee for us: an intro to Family Only Coffee

written by Aaron Thomas

Never been able to resist the aroma of coffee; as a kid taking sips of my mom’s Maxwell House in the morning. Early on, I was fascinated with coffee shops but always wanted to see more Black people in them.

Today, I feel the vibe in most coffee shops is an implied socioeconomic status… I wanted to understand that more. Phyllis Johnson of Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity was a big inspiration and helped me to understand how racial disparity in the coffee industry was very intentional.

Without Black people involved in the industry, you won't see many coffee shops outside of gentrified neighborhoods.

On a mission to break down that barrier, espresso became a craft and a hobby that I believe shouldn’t be confined to a cafe, restaurant or a home kitchen. After refurbishing an older, yet exceptional machine, I had an idea to bring quality coffee to people with no pretension.

I wanted to craft coffee drinks for us. Having a mechanical background, I entered the world of coffee learning the craft, repair of machines and maintenance altogether. Coffee has always brought people together. To avoid the aspects of capitalism, I'm providing a pop up option to community spaces, operating on a donation-based pay system.

If you have a community space or upcoming community-centered event, reach out to Aaron to show up with coffee + good intentions on Instagram

Waste bins for the Detroit Community Fridges

A collaboration between Detroit Community Fridges, Freedom Dreams, and OpenWorks LLC – written by Kitchen + Sam Scardefield

Detroit Community Fridges (DCF) and Open Works at Freedom Dreams came together in the form of mutual aid in action. We have collaborated to construct waste bins for the fridge locations within the DCF network, which emerged from a need. That need called for the support of community, allowing us to lean on others who could provide the tools and capacity to meet our need for waste bins.

We be Jammin'... at 291 Kulture HUB

written by Mama Myrtle

At Manistique & Korte is an indoor extension of growing! We are calling this action Feedom Freedom Growers (FFG) Institute where we're developing a new way of being together through art, music, learning, and more. We opened in 2019 and have been busy with the business of gatherings, growing, and cultural shifting. The team at the site lives for learning and freedom of expression.

We vibe with the concept introduced by James and Grace Lee Boggs of going “beyond ‘protest politics,’ beyond just increasing the anger and outrage of the oppressed, and concentrat[ing] instead on projecting and initiating struggles that involve people at the grassroots in assuming the responsibility for creating the new values, truths, infrastructures, and institutions that are necessary to build and govern a new society” (The Next American Revolution, 67-68).

bell hooks in the text “Yearning” says culture can relay valuable lessons artistically such as in A Raisin in the Sun… mama asked Walter Lee, “Since when did money become life?”

This was a warning against rooting one's sense of identity, culture, and value in materialism!

Values of honesty, trust, and shared values – it is both big and small. It’s the actions of listening, observing, touching, collective effort, experimenting, wondering, tasting, loving, remembering, and sharing! We come together at the Kulture Hub at 291 Manistique, practicing new culture with music and food. It’s an informal affair – you can bring an instrument; we have a piano. Bring a dish or beverage (no alcohol). Jam sessions can be portals to musical expression or meditation; gatherings are free. You will connect with other artists, musicians and folks who are there just to chill – singing is encouraged!

Support cultural expression with your involvement by catching a jam session every last Sunday, 4pm - 9pm. Give a call to 313.632.0991 for questions. Follow them on IG and Facebook for more updates!

@FeedomFreedomGrowers

an illustrated image created on a whiteboard with a black dry erase marker. the image resembles a masculine-presenting character with flowers for hair. the character's face is expressionless and they're wearing a button up with a tie and hoop earrings.

BOY talk w/ Srch Engn

Interviewed by: Rukiya Colvin

This marks the start of our artist spotlight series where we interview a local artist for a chance to see life through their eyes. Art has always been a revolutionary act. Why do you think that is?

First up is Kamau who’s the Southeast MI Lead Organizer at We The People MI. He talks to us about his latest album, BOY and how he sees art intersecting with organizing. After giving the interview a read, make sure you check out his latest album and other offerings at kamaujclark.com

Read the interview

Community Showcase

Revolution, pt. 1

written by Krystal Nikol

We serenade until the second soprano sounds tenor Tappin’ our boots to keep the beat under card tables,

“Who deal?”

We harmonize ‘til sunrise

or whenever the DJ switch to the newest hustle

Nobody minds the noise

It’s a welcome home to all our kidnapped kinfolk holdin’ on for fear of losing them again

to folded flags or badge

we greet them with hugs that last too long

“Let me get a good look atchu”

I ain’t seen you since the last time I felt this free since the last time we all escaped together

Turn the music up high

and the stove on simmer

while we fry tomatoes from grandma’s garden it seems harvest came just in time this season

and the soil Black and rich

enough to feed us for years to come

and this weekend

We gone let our bellies be filled

from the fruits of our labor

recover the stolen wages for the basement bar

and pour libations

let the elders tell stories

“I remember when…”

and the children get acquainted

the teenagers sneakin’ spiked lemonade

and plannin’ the cousin-wide sleepovers

There’s enough room

We bought the block and housed everybody on it Built the school where everybody goin’

once summer end

I’ll see you three times this weekend

Just ‘cause I can

and ain’t nobody worryin’

an animated image of a yellow trumpet with hands attached below with white gloves. purple and red flowers pouring out of the trumpets mouth

an image of a brown skinned femme-presenting person with only the top half of their face shown. a yellow background and a crown of while, red, and orange flowers around their head

Homegirl Chill

A poem by Ambirr Momon

Living in a world and never really knowing your place,

It’s like a never ending race leading to nowhere,

But homegirl, chill you still here,

stuck you’re still here.

Imagine being in a place feeling so out of place;

a tribe, unknown,

your peoples, the kinfolk, whole entire history erased.

But homegirl , chill, you still here.

Being a black girl turns into a marathon and not really a race,

You never really win the race,

but you learn to keep up with the pace.

But homegirl chill you still HERE.

Creating space for all of our SPICEESelves

written by Marcia Lee, originally published by Healing by Choice

To welcome our whole selves means to create spaces for ourselves and each other that invite in the:

Spiritual: your Wise self, your gut, your inner knowing, your connection to the Sacred

Physical: your body, your movement, your physical presence

Intellectual: your mind, your imagination, your creativity, your thinking

Community: your love network, your identity, your ancestors, your plantcestors, pets, family

Emotions: your heart, your feelings, your underlying needs, your reactions and responses

Environment: the context you are in, the natural environment, plants, animals, the context of the world, the space that you occupy

How do you feel in your heart and in your body when you contemplate that the whole self is SPICEE? Are there other parts that you would add or things you would change?

If this acronym feels useful for you, here are a few ways that I’ve been using it to ground myself and others, to truly live into all of who I am and you are – is welcome here.

Wellness check in: How are your SPICEE levels? What do you need or not need to have the level of SPICEEness that you want in your life? Which SPICEE are you giving most attention to? Which SPICEE needs more attention?

Time Reflection: If I was to make a plate of where and how I am using my time, what is the percentage that would go to each part of my SPICEEness? What would be my ideal plate? How do I get there?

Gut check: When I have to make a big decision, checking in with SPICEE. What input does each part of SPICEE give towards what decision I want to make?

The Power of Communication & Connection

Black to the Land Coalition

Become an outdoor guide!

Do you have a passion for enjoying the great outdoors while connecting with other BIPOC folks? Become an outdoor guide with Black to the Land if so! Their mission is to enhance wholistic relationships with nature and each other through nature-based, culturally relevant experiences; build equity in outdoor leadership for Black and Brown people, and acquire land and resources to transcend historically oppressive systems.

Learn more + apply

The JOY Project

Community Work Days

The Joy Project is a living archive of African Atlantic agriculture and foodways situated in the North End in Detroit. They have ongoing volunteer days this season! Learn what they’re about while connecting with the land every Saturday from 10am - 2pm.

Visit their Website

Disco Tech + Skate

A Discovering Technology Fair

Come out for this event rooted in the education of data safety, tech basics, solar energy, wellness, and more! There’s also a skating rink for some fun – food too! The event is free and you should be there.

Sunday, May 21, 2023

2pm-5pm

Alkebulan Village

7701 Harper Ave Detroit, MI 48213

Places to Know

Bullet Train

Welcome to the Bullet Train. The latest zine in Detroit that’s “ a love letter and an invitation to the movements for liberation and justice in Detroit, those who stand shoulder to shoulder and those who work from other outposts,” according to its editors Owólabi Aboyade and Bridget Quinn. Join the journey by giving it a read at DetroitBulletTrain.com

Garage Cultural

This community space serves as an incubator for local artists, arts educators, organizers, activists, entrepreneurs and youth in the community. Located in Southwest Detroit, this space has multipurpose use and recently hosted the events for #StopCopCity week of Solidarity. Visit them on Instagram or at GarageCultural.org

Andy Arts Center

The best gems of the city are always hidden within the ‘hoods. Andy Arts Center is a gathering place that “support[s] the creative process, focusing on the performing arts.” They host African dance classes, interpretive dance, tap dance, occasional community events and pop-up workshops featuring Vogue dance, hip-hop, and whatever else pops onto their calendar! Get moving w/ Andy Arts: AndyArts.org

Let's critically connect!

Thank you to Sherina Sharpe for offering this quote that led to a need for reflection. Sherina was one of the magical facilitators/storytellers of the beautiful event hosted by Healing by Choice on the night of Spring Equinox. The quote followed a story she shared with us about her mother. “I realized that so much of my mother's healing was finding a community that loved her,” said Sherina.

"If you are not loved, protected, or even the beauty standard in your so-called community--then what

"community" are you in? A lot of us think we are in communities, but in fact, we are just around hoards of people who look, talk, act, sound like us, but don't truly see us (from an intersectional or holistic lens.)

If you chose to stay in the states for your community, make sure they are your actual community. This means you are surrounded by people with an ACTIVE POLITIC to PROTECT you, love you, see you, help you, nurture your dreams etc. Don't let one sided loyalty be your downfall."

Bola Juju

This newsletter is to inform our community with the intentions of creating more Solutionaries while emphasizing its need for growing community through critical connections.

A Solutionary is someone with self-knowledge and societal knowledge who goes beyond seeing the problems of the world by transforming ourselves to serve, then further transforming our communities

If you like what you’ve read, reach out to us to connect! We invite contributions to the newsletter, folks who want to join our collective, folks who are curious to learn more, and anything in between as long as you’re coming with an open mind and heart.

Reach us at:

info.solutionaries@gmail.com

313.438.8704 (leave a text or VM)

linktr.ee/TheSolutionaries

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