Land, Liberation, and Legacy: Reflections from B3 Community Land Trusts in the USA and Canada

What does it mean to center Afrocentricity in community land trusts? How can these spaces, built on the foundations of history and collective power, provide reparative justice to Black communities?

In this first episode, hosted by Jane O’Brien Davis, CLT Specialist from the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT), you’ll hear insights from:

• Anyika Mark: Advocate for community empowerment and member of the Little Jamaica CLT in Toronto.

• Curtis Whiley: Founder of the Upper Hammonds Plains CLT, dedicated to restoring lands for historic descendants.

• Djaka Blais: Executive Director of the Hogan’s Alley Society, committed to raising awareness of Black history in Vancouver.

• Shekara Grant: Community leader in Weymouth Falls CLT, focused on intergenerational connections and community identity.

Together, they will dive into the intersection of land, ownership, and community empowerment from an Afrocentric perspective, sharing their experiences from the Liberated Land Trust Tour where they met with representatives from the Oakland CLT, Rondo CLT (St. Paul), and New Communities Inc (Albany, Georgia). Key discussion points include:

• The differences between the U.S. and Canadian policy landscapes.
• How CLTs provide a reimagined vision of ownership for Black communities, especially regarding homeownership.
• Supporting new and established CLTs in acquiring land and scaling sustainably.

Acknowledgements:

This episode is brought to you by Untitled Planning and the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT).

To find out more about the delegates, their CLTs, and the communities they support, make sure to tune in to Anyika, Djaka, Shekara, and Curtis’ 1-on-1 interviews as part of this series by visiting: www.untitledplanning.com

Credits:

• Production: Untitled Planning
• Recording: BNV Media
• Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM