Black Forest Library Call for Volunteers

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Black Forest (BF) is breathing new life into communities by planting 40,000 trees for Black ancestors and archiving multimedia on Black nature. Founded in 2022 by artist-researcher Ekene Ijeoma, BF is a poetic response to calls for justice for the many lives harmed and shortened by racial and environmental disparities in the US and abroad. We’ve planted over 600 trees across 9 cities (200 in the South Bronx) to celebrate Black ancestors and alleviate health risks—such as heat stroke and asthma—for their descendants.

Black Forest Library is a part of our School, a series of programs and a network of spaces (e.g., the Library) focused on Black perspectives on nature across various forms of expression and modes of knowledge. Our site-specific, libraries feature a collection of books, plants, artworks, and other materials placed throughout an installation of milk crates assembled into shelves, steps, seats, and tables.

In May, we presented our first Library at 1-54 Art Fair, and ARTnews named us as one of the best booths! It featured a collection of 40 books, 40 plants, and artworks by Devin Morris and Madjeen Isaac placed throughout an installation of 168 milk crates. This summer we’re opening a new Library in our office in Lower Manhattan and in the fall two more in South Brooklyn and Midtown Nashville. We’re looking for volunteers for the Library at our office and various remote roles listed below. No specific skills or experience are required only an interest in Black Nature.

BF is building communities around trees that will welcome them into their families and neighborhoods for generations. We’re funded, hosted, planted, and managed by people across many races, ethnicities, and ages who believe in ecological and racial equity. Help us grow our Forest of Black nature, knowledge, and heritage by donating, shopping, following, and subscribing.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone Number *

Date of birth *

YYYY

City, State *

Enter your current place of residence. If you’re in transition enter multiple cities. Don’t use abbreviations for city.

Borough *

Enter “NA” if not in New York City

Roles *

Mover (moving all the items below)

Builder (installing and deinstalling crates)

Researcher (reviewing list of books, plants, seeds and contributing)

Facilitator (guiding visitors through our collection)

Gardener (caring for plants)

Organizer (developing programs e.g. reading and listening sessions)

Other:

Required

Availabilities: Library (Lower Manhattan) *

The Library's schedule will be dependent on volunteer's schedules. Guides will be provided.

Mornings (9 AM - 12 PM)

Afternoons (12 PM - 5 PM)

Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thu.

Fri.

Sat.

Availabilities: Remote *

1-2 hours

3-4 hours

More than 4 hours

Weekdays (M-F) mornings (9 AM - 12 PM)

Weekdays (M-F) afternoons (12 PM - 5 PM)

Weekends (Sat.-Sun.)

Affiliations *

Please list any formal or informal connection you have with other companies, organizations, communities etc. For example if company include roles, school include majors, etc.

Skills or experiences related to the role(s) you selected *

Resume

Include direct link to resume or email to trees@blackforest.world.

Social Media *

Include direct links to LinkedIn, Instagram, etc and separate by commas.

Website

How’d you hear about this? *

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