I was surprised upon arriving back in Baltimore to realize that it had become home. Something settled in me when I touched down here. The first place that I went after unpacking was to Blue Light Junction. Officially:
“Blue Light Junction is a natural dye studio, alternative color lab, retail space, dye garden & educational facility in central Baltimore. Founded by textile artist, farmer, and natural dyer Kenya Miles, Blue Light Junction is focused on growing, processing, and preserving the history of natural dyes and their artistic, practical, and commercial applications.”
Really tho Blue Light Junction is all of those things and more. It is the gathering space of a group of big hearted people whose generosity and commitment to community is apparent in the decisions that they have made about how to make space for themselves and everyone else. Blue Light Junction is a playground for birds and for children whose laughter and joy provide its daily soundtrack. It is one of few open playspaces and growing spaces in a neighborhood that has experienced massive, intentional divestment over many decades. Blue Light Junction is a kitchen, a place for making food, and a pantry. There is a free fridge and pantry in a covered outside structure. This structurally supports community members’ abilities to directly engage in mutual aid in a neighborhood that has no grocery stores--because as I said before it has been massively, intentionally divested from over decades. Blue Light Junction is a seed, it is a beginning, a start to rebuilding and reinvesting in the land, the people, and the cultures that have always made Baltimore great.
I am asking you to support my communities by investing in Blue Light Junction and the future they are building by. Giveto their GoFundMe.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/blue-light-junction-buildout
*For my birthday this year I’m asking you to celebrate with me by supporting my joy, my work and my communities. Each day I’ll be sharing one simple thing that you can do to support me in each of these areas.
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