EARTH | Sustainable Brooklyn

"Feeling so inspired by @sustainablebk right now. We had the honor of hosting their Earth Symposium at our studio in NYC today. These women filled the space with next level teachers and leaders in the sustainability space. From fashion to wellness to farming and more, so much was covered. These women are the real deal and I really just am overwhelmed with inspiration. FOLLOW @sustainablebk, get in to the work they are doing and who they are putting forward. There is a lot to learn here."

- Mara Hoffman

Jennifer Sterling of The Black Girl Healing Project opened our symposium with a gentle movement warmup to center ourselves for the day.

Our keynote speaker, Freweyni Adamsseged Asress, then delivered a dynamic talk about Black Feminism, Afrofuturism, and self/community care.

"I can't really put into words how incredible this past weekend's @sustainablebk EARTH symposium was, but I'm going to try. I've been in the NY sustainable/ethical/conscious fashion community/movement for about 5 years - ever since I moved to NY in 2014 & I have never been to anything quite like this. Everything about this day was beyond powerful & beautiful. Everything about this day was approached intentionally holistically & radically...It was truly such a special & profound day[.]"

@gabyfernandesdasilva

Sustainable Brooklyn co-founder, Dominique Drakeford brought her MelaninASS interviews to life during three (3), 30 minute "Lightning Talks," which featured dynamic people of color who are shifting the narrative of sustainability in their respective industries. Click photos for details.

"The event was not only thought provoking but motivating and educating us all to take much needed ACTION to ensure true equality for all as we occupy one EARTH"

- Philip Attar

Karmay Gorley of Gloetry Assembly kicked off the afternoon with an incredible grounding meditation.

"I want to express my heart felt thanks for the earth event. Every minute was well used. All the topics went deep. By the end I felt enlightened and had information on resources I could read to gain more insight. The food was delicious and the love was real. The space was filled with powerful women who care about mother Earth. I have goosebumps just remembering how my spirit was recharged from the meditations and the positive energy in general that was in that space!"

- Custom Collaborative Graduate,

Marsha France

A panel discussion titled: A framework for Sustainability inspired thoughtful, solution-oriented conversation and action. We were honored to hear perspectives from Celine Semaan - Slow Factory; Lilian Liu - UN Global Compact; Yemi Amu - Oko Farms; Ngozi Okaro - Custom Collaborative; Cameron Williams - NYC Center for Materials Reuse during this lively conversation expertly moderated by Dr. Kimberly McGlonn - Grant Blvd.

"[Sustainable Brooklyn] didn't falter to turn the lens to those who don't understand sustainability because it has always been a part of their culture, or in fact, have no interest [in sustainability] because it has always been circumstantial to the impoverished. [EARTH] was inclusion. This was the birds eye view that sustainability should be looked at as a whole."

@hifatra

Raeven Western, Model and Self Loved - Advocate, brought us back to why we do this in the first place: love, empathy, compassion for self and community with a self-loved exercise.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Many thanks to our sponsors