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Featured Voices

Contributed pieces exploring the various intersections of Blackness and Greenness

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Featured Voices

Featured Voices

Virgo: A Time to Assess the Health of the Harvest

How astrology can help us ground in nature and practice intentionality and ritual during seasonal transitions.

Featured Voices

The Hidden Teaching of Gardens

How gardening supports mindfulness, community building, and sustainability.

Featured Voices

Afloat: Black Floridians on the Water, Gentrification, and Survival

Two Black queer Floridians discuss their relationships to the land and water, and what survival looks like for Black Floridians.

Featured Voices

The Geographies I’m Made Of

Teju Adisa-Farrar shares an environmental analysis of self connecting her lived experiences of West Oakland, California and Spanish Town, Jamaica.

Featured Voices

“Not of any other world either”

Three kitchen poems from the edge of time.

Featured Voices

The Lessons of the Water

Siraad Dirshe reflects on what being close to the ocean and learning how to surf has taught her over the last three years.

Featured Voices

Finding Home

This is what sustainable homebuilding on a budget looks like.

Featured Voices

Native Land and Belonging

A Conversation with Vanessa Denali Standing Horse Farley of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Indians.

Featured Voices

Rooted (In)Justice

"Landscapes of inequity are never accidental."

@earthincolor.co

As we begin to think about the gift of giving and

As we begin to think about the gift of giving and the ways we show appreciation to our loved ones, the Earth in Color team has compiled a few of our favorite Black-owned products, businesses, and organizations that offer a range of items and experiences that connect us with the Earth. While we love all the things we’ve listed, you certainly don’t have to buy everything (in fact we don’t want you to buy everything!). This holiday season—and, really, all year long—we like to give intentionally, shop sustainably, and most importantly, support Black-owned businesses. ⁠
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Our gift guide features products from brands including @redbaycoffee, @blackgirlflorists, @yolelefoods, @ayapaper.co, @philaprint, @olaminabotanicals, @blkandgrn, and more!⁠

Put. This. On. EVERYTHING! Our simple berry compot

Put. This. On. EVERYTHING! Our simple berry compote is the perfect way to upgrade your waffles, pancakes, or oatmeal 🍓🫐 ⁠
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WHAT YOU NEED:⁠
8 ounces Berries, frozen or fresh*⁠
¼ Medium-sized orange, juiced⁠
2 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup ⁠
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HOW TO MAKE IT:⁠
Combine the ingredients in a deep pot (like a dutch oven) and bring to medium-high heat. Once the mixture is bubbling, immediately reduce to low-medium heat to softly simmer (you don’t want it to burn). Simmer for about 15 minutes or until thick. Mash to your liking and serve.
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*For the berries, we suggest mixing two or more different types of berries to vary the flavors and textures. And you can even add ginger, seeds, herbs, or cinnamon. Get creative! ⁠

Did you know that trees hibernate too? Well, *tech

Did you know that trees hibernate too? Well, *technically* it’s called seasonal dormancy, but it’s a similar process. Trees change color and lose their leaves because they’re conserving energy in preparation for the cold winter months. Swipe to get a little science-y 🍂🔬🍁

Even more reasons to support your local beekeepers

Even more reasons to support your local beekeepers 🐝🍯

Did you know you could be buying fake honey? 👀🍯 ⁠
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According to @detroithives co-founder Timothy Paule Jackson, “ninety percent of most honey that you get in big box stores is fake.” To make sure you’re getting the real stuff, he suggests checking out the nutrition label. Fake honey will have ingredients like “high fructose corn syrup, peach syrup, [and] it’ll have some type of sugar.” Avoid honey labeled as “pure” or “pasteurized,” and instead look for words like “raw” or “local.”⁠
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And with winter approaching, it’s the perfect time to stock up — not only is it full of vitamins and minerals, but real honey can also be used as a remedy for sore throats and coughs. Swipe to check out some of our favorite Black-owned bee farms and Black beekeepers selling the good stuff 🐝🍯⁠

Have you listened to the new Radicle Sounds? This

Have you listened to the new Radicle Sounds? This season’s playlist was curated by the EIC team 🎶 It’s a collaborative soundscape inspired by the writing of bell hooks, our “Touching Earth” collection, and the many ways Black folks have been (and continue to be) in community with the Earth. Swipe for the full tracklist and listen at the link in our bio 🍂

The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the swea

The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the sweaters are sweatering. It’s peak autumn! Swipe for 🍁🧑🏾‍🌾🍄🎃——Slide 1: Photo of a Black person’s hand gesturing to a group of vibrant orange chicken of the woods mushrooms. (Photo credit: @hella_organic)Slide 2: Photo of a Black person in an all-white outfit with her back facing us and her arms extended as she walks across a sandstone formation in Nevada’s Valley of Fire state park. (Photo credit: @sofearlyss)Slide 3: Photo of a table in a greenhouse covered in squash of various sizes and colors. (Photo credit: @sarah_greenridge).Slide 4: Photo of a Black person wearing a blue beanie and jacket and laying on their back on top of a pile of greens. They are smiling and holding one pumpkin in each hand. (Photo credit: @sundanceharvest)Slide 5: Photo of a Black person’s hand holding a pomegranate that’s been broken open. (Photo credit: @krystalcmack)Slide 6: Photo of landscape of rolling hills around a body of water in the middle of fall, so the changing leaves have made the hills appear to be an orange-red color. The hiking boots and legs of the photographer are partially visible in the foreground of the image. (Photo credit: @elieoutside)

This delicious and simple recipe was created by Ja

This delicious and simple recipe was created by Jasmine Lowe (@jasminedlowe), an adventure and hike leader for @blackgirlstrekkin. Jasmine is the go-to cook for all kinds of outdoor adventures, and her flavorful dishes are proof that camping food doesn’t have to be bland. ⁠
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“When I plan a trip to the outdoors,” Jasmine writes, “I think about creating great-tasting, easy-to-prepare plant-based meals that will fit the activity.” This chili recipe is perfect for a trip into the outdoors — it’s made up of easily-transported canned food and fresh veggies and it can be served in a bowl, as a Frito pie, or even as a topping on a hot dog! 🌭⁠
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Trust us, this is the dish that you’ll want to make for your next camping trip 🏕⁠

In late August, President Biden declared a state o

In late August, President Biden declared a state of emergency in Mississippi after flooding exacerbated long-term issues with the water treatment system in Jackson, leading to a complete shutdown of the city’s water supply. Although the water was running again a couple of weeks later, this shutdown was just the latest development in Jackson’s years-long water crisis, which has had many residents relying on bottled water for drinking and cooking for decades now. ⁠
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Jackson has reportedly seen 300 ‘boil water’ advisories just in the past two years, and the majority-Black city is currently facing multiple civil lawsuits brought by water customers as well as a federal discrimination complaint from the NAACP. And although the city claims its water billing system is working properly, countless Jackson residents are now facing staggering water bills — some as high as $4,000!! — for water they still aren’t sure they can safely drink or bathe in. ⁠
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Even after the news cycle moves on, Black communities are still left to deal with the long-term effects of environmental injustice.

You can’t go wrong with a simple southern potato

You can’t go wrong with a simple southern potato salad 🥔 This recipe is from our founder Darel’s family. It’s a no mustard recipe, which we know is controversial, but we’re confident you won’t miss it! She says, “...this recipe is really good. It’s simple, delicious, and well-balanced. It’s my favorite variation because it’s not doing too-too much but it is still doing a little something-something.”

The fall is a period of transition. It’s a time

The fall is a period of transition. It’s a time to reflect on what the Earth is doing and how that influences us. What changes are our bodies going through and how do they align with the shifts the Earth is experiencing? ⁠
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The inspiration for this season’s “Touching Earth” collection came from bell hooks’ chapter “Touching the Earth” in Belonging: A Culture of Place, which explores how we have been in relationship with the land, both historically and in the current moment. This collection of pieces explores everything from gardening and intergenerational environmental histories to herbalism and the astrology of the season. ⁠
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As we see it, Black people cannot *not* be with the land. It’s where we come from and where we find healing. Check out the full “Touching Earth” collection at www.earthincolor.co.📸: Karjean Levine/Getty Images

In 1912, African American couple Willa and Charles

In 1912, African American couple Willa and Charles Bruce purchased a beautiful three-acre piece of costal land in Southern California’s Manhattan Beach. It didn’t take long for Bruce’s Beach to become a seaside haven for Black people who were barred from whites-only beaches. But in 1924, responding to the racist outcry of the predominantly white Manhattan Beach, the city’s Board of Trustees illegally condemned the Bruce family property. At the time, they claimed the land had been seized in order to construct a public park — however, it took another three decades before the park was actually built.⁠
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Bruce’s Beach wasn’t returned to the ancestors of Willa and Charles until September 2021, after the California governor signed a law authorizing the return. And in June of this year, Los Angeles County agreed to an two-year lease with the Bruce family, making Bruce’s Beach only the second historically Black beach in the U.S. owned by African Americans. (The other is South Carolina’s Atlantic Beach, also known as “The Black Pearl.”) ⁠

As a wise corn kid once said "... but when I tried

As a wise corn kid once said "... but when I tried it with butter, everything changed!" 🤩 ⁠
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Check out the full recipe for our Grilled Corn with Harissa Honey Butter in the EATS section at www.earthincolor.co 🌽

Nicole Snell is an avid solo traveler, self-defens

Nicole Snell is an avid solo traveler, self-defense instructor, and general lover of all things outdoors. As Nicole explains it, "my meditation comes from being active, from walking, from hiking, from being outside, from letting my mind wander. I get excited about nature and new things. For me that is what safety means: it is the freedom, the independence, and the joy that I can have when I’m experiencing the outdoors alone." As the CEO of @girlsfightback, the founder of Outdoor Defense, and a hike leader for @blackgirlstrekkin, she's dedicated her life to helping others find joy and feel safe in their own outdoor adventures.Swipe through for more from Nicole, and read her entire Community Spotlight in the link in our bio 🏕🚴🏾🛶

Have you seen that new @kelela? 👀😮‍💨😍 The music video for her single "Washed Away" was shot in the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia and we're obsessed. It's a must-watch!

Soak up the end of summer with our Strawberry Wate

Soak up the end of summer with our Strawberry Watermelon Cool-Me-Down, one of our summer EATS recipes. This easy-to-make drink is fresh and delicious—and a perfect way to use up the last of your watermelon. Visit the link in our bio for the full recipe 🍓🍉

Check out this week’s “Inspired By” recap in

Check out this week’s “Inspired By” recap in our Stories. What’s inspiring you on this beautiful Sunday?Images from:
@opulentbria
@farmerjawnphilly
@blackarchives.co
@zebablay
@taamooore
@renellaice via @traceeellisross
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.#EICInspiredBy #nature #blackjoy #naturephotography #outdoors #backtoourroots #blackoutdoors #cookout #blackwomen #blackboyjoy #gardening #harvest #traceeellisross #plants #plantphotography #flowers #flowerarrangement

In 1922, nearly three decades after the Highland B

In 1922, nearly three decades after the Highland Beach resort was founded by Charles Douglass, the area was turned into the first African American incorporated municipality in Maryland’s history. Today, Highland Beach has around 80 homes owned by a mix of summer and year-round residents, many of whom are descendants of the original settlers.

Black beaches have historically been sites of racial division, but many of them—like Oak Bluffs Beach at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, Sag Harbor in New York, and the @gullahgeechee Islands in South Carolina—remain spaces of Black prosperity and cultural preservation to this day. To learn more, check out the piece 'How Black Beaches Were Developed to Combat Jim Crow Segregation' at earthincolor.co.

📸: Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Smithsonian Institution.

We love seeing Black joy on the beach 🏄🏾‍♀️🏖
---Slide 1: photo of @Kelis reclining on rocks at the edge of the shoreSlide 2: photo of Octavia Butler standing on a beach while holding a small dogSlide 3: screencap from the film 'Moonlight' of Juan (Mahershala Ali) teaching Little (Alex Hibbert) to swimSlide 4: photo of @lizzobeeating kneeling in the water at the beachSlide 5: black & white photo from the 1950s of three young Black boys sitting in the sand at Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey (photo by John W. Mosley via Temple University Libraries @blackarchives.co)Slide 6: photo of Audre Lorde rowing a boat in the waterSlide 7: video of @solangeknowles posing on the beachSlide 8: photo of a group of Black surfers practicing on the beach (@ebonybeachclub)

Check out this week’s “Inspired By” recap in

Check out this week’s “Inspired By” recap in our Stories. What’s inspiring you this summer weekend?Images from:
@blackarchives.co
@climateincolour
@cozy.spice
@micaiahcarter
@ofcoursegreg via @raw_melanin
@marie_louise_.
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.#EICInspiredBy #nature #blackjoy #naturephotography #outdoors #backtoourroots #blackoutdoors #blackwomen #landscape #landscapephotography #mountains #blackpeople #summerwalker #farming

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