From Oakland to Toronto, Liberated Land Trusts explores community empowerment, cultural preservation, and economic resilience through Community Land Trusts (CLTs) in Canada and the USA. Leaders from four emerging B3 (Black-led, Black-serving, Black-focused) CLTs in Canada share insights from their Liberated Land Trust Tour visiting CLTs in California, Minnesota, and Georgia. Join us for this 5-part series as we uncover opportunities, challenges, and successes that pave the way for a more equitable futures and reparative justice for Black communities in rural and urban contexts.
In this special recap episode, we reflect on the key themes and lessons from the Liberated Land Trusts series.
From rural Nova Scotia to urban neighbourhoods in Toronto and Vancouver, this conversation weaves together the stories, strategies, and insights shared across the series—highlighting what it means to reclaim land, preserve culture, and build community power through Black-led Community Land Trusts.
Whether you're just tuning in or following along from the beginning, this episode offers a grounding moment to look back, connect the dots, and imagine what comes next.
Acknowledgements:
This episode is brought to you by Untitled Planning (http://www.untitledplanning.com) and the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT). (https://www.communityland.ca/)
For all episode show notes, and additional details about the series and CLT please visit www.untitledplanning.com (http://www.untitledplanning.com)
Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning (https://untitledplanning.com/)
Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/side-hustle/130774)
16 Oct 2024
Engaging Indigenous Communities and Youth in Building Wealth: The Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust, Nova Scotia | Curtis Whiley
What if reclaiming land could not only restore a community's heritage but also pave the way for future generations to thrive? Today, we’re focusing on the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust in Nova Scotia, founded out of necessity to protect and restore lands for the historic descendants of this vibrant community.
In this episode, we’ll be joined by Curtis Whiley, the founder of the CLT, who will share insights on:
The rich history of Upper Hammonds Plains and its connection to promises made after the War of 1812.
Current goals and challenges faced by the community in reclaiming their land.
Key projects aimed at supporting affordable housing and community restoration.
The importance of the relationship with Indigenous communities.
Engaging youth in preserving and enhancing community wealth.
How can a community land trust balance historical justice with modern housing needs? Let’s find out!
Acknowledgements:
This episode is brought to you by Untitled Planning (http://www.untitledplanning.com) and the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT). (https://www.communityland.ca/)
For all episode show notes, and additional details about the series and CLT please visit www.untitledplanning.com (http://www.untitledplanning.com)
Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning (https://untitledplanning.com/)
Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/side-hustle/130774)
16 Oct 2024
Connecting Generations and Cultivating Futures in Rural Communities: The Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust, Nova Scotia | Shekara Grant
What if every member of a community could be both a historian and an architect of their own future? Today, we’re focusing on the Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust in Nova Scotia, a vital initiative dedicated to supporting one of the many Black communities in the area while educating residents about their rich history. We are excited to be joined by Shekara Grant, the founder of the CLT, who emphasizes the importance of intergenerational connections and community identity.
In our conversation, we’ll discuss:
The unique challenges of organizing in a deeply rural context
The significance of biannual celebrations in fostering community ties
Recent community mapping sessions that highlight Weymouth Falls’ local histories and shape the future of the CLT
How can a community land trust help bridge the past and future for residents in rural areas? Let’s find out!
Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning (https://untitledplanning.com/)
Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/side-hustle/130774)
16 Oct 2024
Anchoring Black Business for Economic Empowerment: The Journey of Little Jamaica CLT, Toronto | Anyika Mark
What if we could reshape our neighborhoods into thriving epicenters of empowerment and economic opportunity, all while honoring the deep-rooted histories of our communities?
Today, we turn our focus to the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust (LJCLT), a pioneering initiative dedicated to anchoring Black businesses and fostering economic stability in this vibrant neighborhood in Toronto. We are thrilled to be joined by Anyika Mark who is not only an active advocate for community change as the Community Engagement Coordinator of this CLT but also the Director of Communications for Black Urbanism Toronto (BUTO).
In our conversation, we’ll delve into:
How the history of Little Jamaica since the 1950s informs the CLT’s mission
The importance of mixed-use development in addressing community needs
The critical role of protecting Black-owned small businesses
How can a community land trust empower neighbourhoods to thrive while maintaining their cultural identity? Let’s find out!
Acknowledgements:
This episode is brought to you by Untitled Planning (http://www.untitledplanning.com) and the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT). (https://www.communityland.ca/)
For all episode show notes, and additional details about the series and CLT please visit www.untitledplanning.com (http://www.untitledplanning.com)
Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning (https://untitledplanning.com/)
Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/side-hustle/130774)
16 Oct 2024
Reclaiming History and Culture: The Hogan’s Alley Community Land Trust | Djaka Blais
What if revitalizing a community could also mean reclaiming its history and cultural identity? Today, we’ll focus on the Hogan’s Alley Community Land Trust in Vancouver, which is dedicated to incubating initiatives that support the economic well-being of this historic Black community and creating a vibrant hub for its residents. We are thrilled to be joined by Djaka Blais, the executive director of the Hogan’s Alley Society and a founding Director of the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC). Djaka is deeply committed to raising awareness of the historic Black presence that has shaped this community.
In our conversation, we’ll discuss:
Key projects aimed at providing inclusive housing
Developing community spaces
Navigating the challenges of operating in one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets through strategic partnerships
How can community land trusts serve as catalysts for cultural and economic renewal? Let’s find out!
Acknowledgements:
This episode is brought to you by Untitled Planning (http://www.untitledplanning.com) and the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT). (https://www.communityland.ca/)
For all episode show notes, and additional details about the series and CLT please visit www.untitledplanning.com (http://www.untitledplanning.com)
Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning (https://untitledplanning.com/)
Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/side-hustle/130774)
16 Oct 2024
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 (http://www.untitledplanning.com) and the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT). (https://www.communityland.ca/)
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 (http://www.untitledplanning.com)
Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning (www.untitledplanning.com)
Recording: BNV Media (https://www.bnvmedia.ca/)
Music: Side Hustle by SLPSTRM (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/side-hustle/130774)
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