Black Land Access, Ownership, Stewardship and Sovereignty
Land In Black Hands (LIBH) is a land-based program focused on restoring Black and Indigenous relationships with land through cultural reclamation, ecological stewardship, and community empowerment. As a program of the Kingston Land Trust, LIBH provides a platform for healing, education, and regenerative land practices. Rooted in the principles of environmental justice, community care, and ancestral wisdom, LIBH creates pathways for Black and Indigenous people—and allies in solidarity—to reconnect with the earth, reclaim traditional knowledge, and build a liberated future grounded in equity and belonging.
WHAT WE DO
Through collaborative land stewardship, cultural programming, and leadership development, LIBH supports a vision where land is not only accessible but held sacred—where land serves as a source of healing, resistance, and possibility. Rooted in principles of community care, environmental justice, and cultural reclamation, LIBH seeks to cultivate a transformative space where people of color can thrive, develop their leadership, connect with ancestral traditions, and foster sustainable futures.
This sacred site, once used as a burial ground for enslaved Africans, became the first iteration of the Land In Black Hands when it was purchased and protected in 2020 by Harambee and the Kingston Land Trust.
A hub for hands-on learning in ecological and agricultural practices. This transformative sanctuary provides land access, housing, and opportunities for land-based education for BlPOC folks.
WHY WE DO THIS WORK
We center and serve the descendants of enslaved Africans in America, whose ancestral ties were severed by systemic oppression and displacement. These individuals carry a legacy shaped by forced labor, stolen heritage, and enduring resilience. We recognize the harm caused by labels and categorizations that have historically reduced people to a color or group, and we strive to honor the full complexity and humanity of those we serve. We are co-creating a space where individuals can reconnect with the land, cultivate sustainable practices, and nurture collective healing, while honoring the stories, traditions, and resilience of Black people.
The LIBH Steering Committee
The LIBH Steering Committee, established in late 2021, was initially formed to guide the use of funds that helped secure the LIBH land base. Today, it serves as the governing body of LIBH, composed of local community members of African descent who are deeply committed to land justice, cultural restoration, and collective healing.
As a grassroots leadership circle, the Steering Committee anchors the vision and direction of LIBH. We are currently in an active visioning phase—gathering wisdom and feedback from BIPOC residents, growers, healers, artists, and cultural practitioners to ensure the land is developed in a way that reflects our collective values and ancestral mandates..
Join the LIBH Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is a growing circle of supporters, thought partners, and emerging leaders who share our values and are committed to the vision of Land In Black Hands. Advisory members collaborate with the Steering Committee, share insights during the visioning process, and may participate in project planning, outreach, and special initiatives. For those who demonstrate deep alignment and consistent engagement, this path may lead to future membership on the Steering Committee.
To express interest in joining the Advisory Committee, please email shaniqua@kingstonlandtrust.org.