THE NEED
Black, Indigenous and communities of color have been long subject to the ongoing violences of white supremacy, cultural erasure, and dehumanization in this country–at times, even on campus. This results in deep exhaustion, chronic anxiety, and layers of unprocessed grief.
The Greenhouse: BIPOC Grief & Healing Sanctuary aims to be a structure that provides shelter from harsh conditions so that our tender lives can take refuge, heal, and adapt. We utilize music, poetry, reflection, play and arts to invite emotional release and collective witness.
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
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We believe that true healing only happens through collective processing, movement and creation– not in isolation.
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We believe that regular gatherings allow for relationships to grow organically and establish a web of care across schools on campus.
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We believe that by converging our rich multitude of ancestral and cultural wisdoms, we can grow BIPOC spiritual leaders and help heal the world.
GATHERING DETAILS
We gather on the 1st and 3rd Friday from 4-6 PM at the Multifaith Room on the 2nd floor of Swartz Hall at Harvard Divinity School (45 Francis Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138).
2023-24 Meeting dates: Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1, Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 1, Mar 22, Apr 5, Apr 19, May 3.
Each 2 hour gathering includes a spacious check-in, facilitated rituals, and a communal meal.
OUR TEAM
We are LGBTQIA+ spiritual leaders grounded in Asian and African diasporic traditions. While we draw from the insights of religions, we are not all religiously affiliated. We designed The Greenhouse with opportunities for guest facilitators so that we grow a movement of open-hearted spiritual and religious leaders.
Frances Lee, MDiv III, they/them
Founder
Frances recently completed their first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education as an interfaith chaplain intern at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center. They currently serve as a university chaplain for Tufts University and conduct research on Buddhist spiritual care in North America.
Auds Hope Jenkins, MDiv III, she/her
Co-Founder
Auds recently served as a chaplain intern in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Harvard Divinity School (HDS). She cofounded a majority-BIPOC housing co-op in Somerville.
Eve Woldemikael, MDiv III, she/her
Co-Founder
Eve hosts Fire Salons, a weekly space for students across the university to process climate grief. Eve is also the Events Lead of Harambee: Students of African Descent and the creator of Kulehna, a BIPOC art and spirituality collective.
GET INVOLVED
Want to be a guest facilitator?
We are looking for guest facilitators starting in November 2023! If you are interested in leading a grief ritual or an embodied healing practice, please reach out and we will work with you to refine your idea, collect materials, and provide post-gathering feedback.
CONTACT US
Email: thegreenhouse@HU.onmicrosoft.com
The Greenhouse: BIPOC Healing Sanctuary is a 2023-24 grant recipient of the Harvard Culture Lab Innovation Fund (CLIF).