Activating Black August Portals

(Photo Credit: Adrian Burrell)

As summer bends toward autumn and folks begin to frame their schedules as “school nights” vs weekends, we return our attention inward to offer peace and gratitude to self and toward our Ancestral Freedom Fighters, Caregivers and Educators whose dedication to love and liberation continues to live through our work. AAFR offers bows, libations and special activations during #BlackAugust to open the portal for collective and intentional joy and transformation.

Believe in Magic,

Ashara

Join us for A Tour, A Toast! Day Long, In-Person Excursion

Mary Ellen Pleasant was one of the first black women millionaires in San Francisco who invested her wealth into anti-slavery efforts, African American businesses and community based initiatives.

Hosted by interdisciplinary artist, Cheryl Derricotte and curators of Collective Arising: The Insistence of Black Bay Area Artists Ashara Ekundayo and Lucia Olubunmi Momoh.

$175 reservation includes luxury coach travel, meals, potent or gentle beverages, and admission fees to venues!

at the Late Mary Ellen Pleasant’s Napa 9:30 - 5pm Sunday, August 21, 2022

RSVP for A Tour, A Toast! Here

Muralist-in-Residence #BlackAugust Activation

AAFR is excited to partner with The Space Program San Francisco for the inaugural Muralist-In-Residence program featuring the work of Christopher Burch.

8/15-30 Watch our IG for Live/Stories with Christopher, curator Ashara Ekundayo and more!

Drop by and watch the process at

691 Tennessee St., San Francisco

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Black August is honored every year to commemorate the fallen freedom fighters of the Black Liberation Movement, to call for the release of political prisoners in the United States, to condemn the oppressive conditions of U.S. prisons, and to emphasize the continued importance of the Black Liberation struggle.

How to Participate in Our Black August Activations:

Follow us on Instagram @ArtistAsFirstResponder to keep up with our Black August teachings and events
Study Black Liberation History
Train Using Black Liberatory Praxis
Fast from physical and/or mental habits that do not serve to liberate you
Fight for Black Liberation
Join us on Zoom, August 31, 2022, to participate in our annual Black August meditation

Register for Our 8/31 Meditation Here

SALT to CATCH GHOSTS is an immersive exhibition curated by our founder, Ashara Ekundayo featuring the work of Black women and femmes whose large, magical, works surround the individual, calling them into the unsettling reality of Black intimacy.

Opening 09.09.2022 at /(slash) San Francisco

Learn More about SALT to CATCH GHOSTS Here

A Special thanks to CAST for their support at the Ashara Ekundayo Gallery Pop-Up with Zanele Muholi!

Ashara Ekundayo Gallery hosted a 1-Day pop-up solo exhibition featuring the work of South African photographer and humanitarian Zanele Muholi last month at the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST).

Special thanks to the entire team at CAST, de Young Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, PJ Policarpio, Natasha Becker, Matthew McTire, Sarah Kirnon and all of the community hosts who made our week amazing!

Join our Patreon HERE.