United Roots launched Trees 4 Life in February 2012 to promote community healing through environmental stewardship, while also giving youth job training and skills in the media arts. This project was developed by Mira Manickam with United Roots as part of the Together Green Audubon Fellowship. Trees 4 Life was a collaboration with Urban Releaf, Grind for the Green, Growing a Global Heart and Urban Peace Movement. Youth participants were paid a stipend to learn urban forestry skills and facilitate tree planting projects in Oakland, California. Trees 4 Life participants received training through Urban Releaf’s UFEST program (urban forest education & stewardship training program) through the Director of Education, Gregory Tarver, Jr. The UFEST program is funded through The CA Dept of Forestry & Fire Protection & U.S. Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry Programs.

The Trees 4 Life memorial tree planting vision was inspired by Growing a Global Heart’s core work and they were a key partner in the tree planting ritual. Growing a Global Heart team members Susan Lambert and Steve Uzzell photographed both the opening and closing Trees 4 Life events (some of their photographs are included in this blog entry). In addition, Youth and staff documented all Trees 4 Life trainings and events; stay tuned for a short film to be released in June 2012!

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The 2012 Trees 4 Life project culminated in a community tree-planting event, “A Day of Healing,” at the Jungle Hill park in East Oakland on April 28th, 2012. The Trees 4 Life memorial tree planting vision was inspired by Growing a Global Heart’s core work. They were a key partner in the tree planting ritual. The gathering opened up space for community members to plant the trees in honor of people that died on the streets of Oakland. The tree planting process affirms creation of new life in Oakland as a means of healing the earth and human community. The event was a collaboration of United Roots staff and youth, the Trees 4 Life youth crew, Urban Releaf staff and youth volunteers, Belvie Rooks and Dedan Gills from Growing a Global Heart, Zakiya Harris from Grind for the Green and Earthseed Consulting, Nicole Lee and Xiomara Castro from Urban Peace Movement, community members and elders from the Jungle Hill community. We would also like to acknowledge Growing a Global Heart members Elizabeth Miller, Craig Laupheimer, Steve Uzzell and Susan Lambert. More than 8 trees were planted in Jungle Hill park, one of them singled out as the “dedication” tree fashioned with a a plaque. Trees 4 Life youth participants also performed spoken word and songs. The opening ritual included an invocation song by Luta, from the Ohlone Sogorea Te Warriors, as well as an opening statement from Dedan Gills of Growing a Global Heart (his statement is below). The Trees 4 Life short film will include footage from the event and will be released in June 2012 (to be available on the United Roots website).

Photos from the Trees 4 Life planting event on April 28th, 2012, were taken by © Susan Lambert and Steve Uzzell, All Rights Reserved.

Opening Statement at the Trees 4 Life “A Day of Healing” Community Event
by Dedan Gills of Growing a Global Heart

As we begin this solemn yet joyful tree planting ceremony, let us take pause to remember, with gratitude and thanksgiving, all those who have come before us. Let us remember ALL of our ancestors; all of those whose remains make up this fertile soil that will give sustenance to our little trees.

Let us also remember all of the plants, all of the animals, all of the insects and microbes and all of the living things–seen and unseen–that compose this rich, life- giving earth.

Today, let us remember the Native People who first lived here–especially the Ohlone People. Let us also remember all who followed: The Europeans, The Mexicans, The Africans, The Asians and all who have sought sanctuary upon this land. As you look around, you can see by the variety of human faces standing is this circle, that we stand here today as a collection of their descendants; we stand here as a microcosm of the human family and human possibility.

Let us take pause to remember the countless ways that the people upon whose shoulders we stand have sacrificed their lives, their sweat, their blood, and their tears so that we could all stand here together today. Let us remember how those same tears, lives and dreams enrich this fertile Jungle Hill soil. They are all here: Those who have spread love and those who have spread hatred, The murderers and the murdered are all here intermingled together in the black fertile womb of this life-giving earth.

In our human folly and ignorance we forget that we are all descendants of the Divine and that we are all children of the stars. We have fought, maimed, hurt and killed each other for much too long! How do we transcend our so-called differences in a way that allows us to emulate the wisdom that resonates within this soil.

The Wisdom of the soil teaches us that in our final journey on this earth our remains join in the great recycling dance of life. A dance in which we all contribute equally regardless of the appearance of difference: Indigenous and Immigrant; male & female, Asian/Hispanic/East Indian/mixed race, Black/White, old/young, Republican/Democrat, straight/gay,
However we identify–we are ALL here!

In the silence of our humble ceremony let us know in our hearts that as our young trees spread their roots deep into the unity that thrives within this soil and as their branches stretch majestically towards our ancient ancestors in the skies, they will breathe fresh air into our toxic atmosphere. As the lungs of the earth, our little trees will join with trees across the globe in helping sequester the lethal carbon dioxide that threatens to rob our children and our grandchildren of a healthy and sustainable future. As our little trees grow, they will help combat the ravages of asthma and other respiratory ailments ravaging the lungs of our children–all of our children.

This is what hope looks like! This is what healing looks and feels like! This little ceremony which seeks to honor the past and celebrate the future while working to heal our collective wounds in the present, symbolizes the dream and vision of Trees4Life, United Roots, Urban Releaf, Growing a Global Heart, Urban Peace Movement and Grind for the Green. It also represents the dream and vision of hope and possibility for the future that you each hold in your heart. As our Native American elders and relatives continually remind us–the Earth truly is our Mother! With no further ado–let the planting begin….

Dedan Gills
Co-Founder, Growing A Global Heart
Trees4Life “A Day of Healing”
April 28, 2012
Oakland, California
Santa Rita Land Trust aka Jungle Hill

(Dedan Gills reading the opening statement at the Trees 4 Life event on April 28th, 2012)

Inscription on Memorial Plaque:

April 28, 2012

We dedicate these trees to the youth of Oakland
From the soil of our city, where many have fallen,
May these trees bring life and hope.

(Gregory Tarver Jr. from Urban Releaf with others planting the dedication tree)

(Belvie Rooks from Growing a Global Heart with Double Girls, Lena Cliett & Laren Blakely, from the Oakland School of the Arts)

(Youth from the Trees 4 Life youth crew planting a tree)

(Mira Manickam, the Trees 4 Life project coordinator, featured on the left carrying two shovels)

Photos from the Trees 4 Life “A Day of Healing” event on April 28th were taken by © Susan Lambert and Steve Uzzell, All Rights Reserved. The “A Day of Healing” event was inspired by Growing a Global Heart’s memorial tree planting vision.

This poster series was made by young people that are both members of United Roots and Urban Peace Movement. United Roots provided the photo equipment and graphic design tools to make the posters, and Urban Peace Movement is printing the posters and conducting a Bay Area wide community campaign. Charise Martin did the photography and Jhamel Robinson did the graphic design for the following posters:

- BY ARIANNE SHAFFER OF KINDLE PROJECT -

Kindle Project has had a long relationship with Oakland’s United Roots: an organization that engages Oakland, California’s marginalized youth with media, arts, career training, and wellness services. We have watched this organization change and grow over the years and are perpetually motivated and impressed by their mission and commitment to their community. So much of what United Roots does is based in personal storytelling; using media, music, and movement to express a personal narrative. United Roots leaders engage in these forms, always practicing what they preach, modeling the impact of these tools for the youth they work with. Last year we featured the story of Galen Paterson, United Roots’ Co-Executive Director, and this year we’re sharing Co-Executive Director Simmy Makhijani’s story. Galen and Simmy’s personal histories weave together the complex and deeply passionate stories of the greater Oakland community. It is personal stories such as these that allow us to not only learn more about the leaders of the organizations that we support, but to understand the reasons why they do the work they do with such fervor…

Click this Link To Read the Full Article

Simmy Makhijani is featured in the above photo alongside some of the United Roots Staff Members and Co-Founders (from the left: Galen Peterson, Clemente Pena, Olondis Walker, Simmy Makhijani, Clidell Jackson, Ambessa Cantave, Tenika Blue, Alicia Raquel, Fadeelah Muhyee & Alli Starr)

• Free fresh organic juice – juiced on the spot!
• Live/skype interviews with national luminaries & artists promoting healthy lifestyles
• Local healing resources, internships, and green jobs
• Live health/nutrition presentations by local organizations & individuals
• Documentaries and topical videos
• Performances, live art, & snacks

Please join us on Thursday April 26th from 3:00-5:30pm for:

More Info & Links about presenters on April 26th:

• Cynthia Mckinney
• Lashanda Greene is a Certified Detoxification Specialist and Health Educator at Higher Purpose Healing in Oakland, CA. She enjoys introducing people to the bright colors and flavors of raw foods, as well as educating and empowering individuals to take control of their health. Her passion is helping people remove toxins and obstructions from the body, regenerate weaknesses, and spiritually realign themselves with Nature, so that they can live their best life possible.
• Documentary Film: Forks over Knives
• Big Tadoo Puppet Crew
• www.EarthAmplified.com
• SOS JUICE FACEBOOK

If you are inspired by programs like this please support United Roots in being able to offer these classes for free to youth in Oakland and the Bay Area Community. Click this link to Donate Today!

Muse Video featured United Roots youth artists Mansa “RhythM” Evans and Necie Marie on Oakland’s own KDOL-TV station (Comcast Channel 27). Muse Video is made possible by a bunch of great Oakland youth organizations coming together to broadcast young talent to the world, including but not limited to The Media Enterprise Alliance, KDOL TV, Youth Uprising. United Roots, Oakland Leaf and Youth Roots. Muse Video trains youth to be film makers and create media content featuring youth voices. Find out more about Muse Video by going to: musevideo.net

Check out the interviews with United Roots youth artists Mansa “RhythM” Evans and Necie Marie, filmed at United Roots by Muse Video:

Toy Soldierz is a multimedia production that combines hip hop music, dance, spoken word, and film. Telling the true story of Devon Johnson, a high school student who lost his life in a shooting, the production deals with themes of teen violence and forgiveness in a special performance. Javier Reyes, UHT’s Creative Director and co-founder of United Roots, wrote and directs Toy Soldierz. The performers, Bay Area-based actors, poets, singers, and dancers whose lives have been touched by gun violence, are united by their passion to help heal the community. The cast and crew of Toy Soldierz rehearses at United Roots every week, and United Roots is proud to see this production come to life.

Each One Reach One (EORO) and Urban Healing Tour (UHT) have overlapping goals, and a shared vision of a safer future for the community. EORO provides transformative, mentor-based playwriting workshop experiences and academic tutoring programs for incarcerated youth. UHT is a multimedia hip hop theater platform that supports productions for social change coupled with arts-based workshops centered around the process of recovery and learning to forgive.

Check out the Trailer for “Toy Soldierz”:

To demonstrate their commitment to the Season of Peace-Building, East Oakland Life Academy School students and staff members, led by the Young Men’s Circle (Be a Man – BAM) and the Young Women’s Empowerment Group (Real Ambitious Women – RAW), participated in a 74-day fast relay and facilitate a community “Peace Pledge.” Students and staff at the school launched a Season of Peace-Building, which lasted from Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/16/12) to Cesar Chavez Day (3/30/12).

The “Season” began with a “Day of Service” in honor of Dr. King’s memory, where students, teachers, staff members, administrators, parents, and the community came together to beautify the high school’s campus. The “Day of Service” culminated in a ceremony honoring the first day of the fast relay.

BAM and RAW decided to lead the Season of Peace-Building in response to the senseless killings of youth in the Oakland community. The groups understand that stopping the violence is nearly impossible; however, they believe that encouraging the community to build peace is more proactive and ultimately more contagious.

These two youth-led groups are taking a symbolic stand for real change in their community. Through self-sacrifice and fearless activism, Life Academy students, staff, and parents plan to help mend broken families and restore a positive definition of “respect” that benefits all members of the Oakland community. The Season of Peace-Building is sure to ignite the change that Oakland needs, from the ground up.

For more information about the project go to:
Life Academy’s Season of Peace-Building

Earth Amplified & United Roots present S.O.S. JUICE
(get the System Outta your System) Juiced on the spot!
THURSDAY MARCH 29TH from 3:00-5:30pm at United Roots: Oakland’s Green Youth Arts and Media Center located @ 2781 Telegraph in Oakland CA. This is an all ages free community event.
Live performances and discussion w/ Jahi of Microphone Mechanics Inc., “New Generation” Manhood Development Program, Korise Jubert and Youth from the DJ Project.

For more information go to: www.earthamplified.com

Also including:
Green job/internship announcements
& this month’s documentary viewing: “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” – check out that trailer below: