The Harlem Wellness Center (HWC) is one of the Fund’s many esteemed Partner Projects based in NYC. The HWC believes deeply that social connectivity and community building creates a foundation for reimagining a world designed for all to flourish. The damage caused by racism and societal structures that oppress others is as apparent and perplexing today as it has ever been in our local communities. We work to bend the arc toward equity through our Mindfulness-Based Racial Healing program implemented through various community events.
The Racial Healing Hub
The Racial Healing Hub (The Hub) responds to the critical need for skillfully curated conversations and activities surrounding racial identity, systems, healing, and equity. The Racial Healing Hub harnesses the power of art, reflection, and authentic connection to affect fundamental changes in individuals and institutions by promoting truth, reconciliation, healing the racial divide, and ending systemic racism. Utilizing an interactive arts based framework, our events in public spaces (primarily parks) provide the opportunity for a diverse group of local residents to connect with each other, brings residents from different communities to visit and interact in new settings, and provides the evidenced based benefits of being outdoors in nature.
The Hub recognizes the power of art to inform, inspire, and call to action. Writing, spoken word, music, and making art are all employed as tools to connect one to themselves and each other. For those who cannot attend in person, social media posts provide a way for people to connect virtually.
Sounds of Justice
Sounds of Justice was an excellent example of HWC’s Hub at work. Music and song were used as vehicles for storytelling and connecting to the hearts of listeners at A. Philip Randolph Square Park and Plaza. Through this curated event, eight independent artists were invited to perform. They each offered a musical expression from various artistic and cultural perspectives to inspire reflection, learning, and call to action for racial justice.
The process of organizing Racial Healing Hub events begins with a core group of founding volunteers and new volunteers that are welcomed to conceptualize, plan, and implement the events. For this event, it was important to the organizing team to aggregate singers that represented different cultures. Singers expounded on the meaning of their pieces. Songs were performed in English, Chinese, and Greek. Approximately 50 invited guests and passersby engaged in listening to the performers and in interactive stations supporting the mainstage event.
GenZ Presents: Community Gathering & Racial Awareness Picnic
Facilitating conversations that model speaking about race is a major pillar of the Hub’s work. We create space for multicultural, multi-generational groups of individuals to participate in talks in a way that is mindful, reflective and courageous. Our circle talks take place in-person and virtually.
This event designed and facilitated by high school student Annette Salas, launched our Racial Healing Hub GenZ whereby we mentor and support young adults in developing their voice and leadership skills in the racial justice arena.
The Community Gathering & Racial Awareness Picnic served to create a community-orientated mindful space where people can share and talk about past experiences of discrimination and racism. We succeeded in creating a validating, judgment-free space where trust was formed. Attendees were invited to view the world through different perspectives by listening to each other’s experiences and stories.
Attendees also contributed written thoughts and quotes surrounding their feelings about social justice, healing, or that represents the purpose of this event to add to our art installation.
Labyrinth
As we look to heal the racial divide and to promote truth, reconciliation, and transformation, the Racial Healing Hub has chosen a labyrinth walk to symbolize that change begins within the heart of the individual. In a noisy world, a labyrinth walk is harmoniously designed to provide an opportunity to slow down, quiet the mind, reflect, meditate, pray and listen within.
The current socio-political climate is often divisive and emotionally charged. It offers little to no opportunities for reflection, critical thinking, or empathy. Feedback from participants who have walked the Hub labyrinth repeatedly confirm that our activities provide the opportunity and conditions to slow down, look within and contemplate in a way that challenges current belief systems and fosters insight towards positive change.
Using Mindfulness to Create a Harmonious Future
Before we can move toward outward action, we must examine the influence of racist ideology and embedded racism in our own lives; where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go. The Harlem Wellness Center aims to continue to use its events and programming to promote mindfulness which allows us to authentically & compassionately engage and connect with others to re-imagine and create a just world built for all to flourish.