I’m organizing a series of research trips to historic Black communities that challenged dominant narratives of power, autonomy, and self-determination. These trips will center somatic and embodied approaches to history—engaging with place, movement, and archival knowledge.

As a queer, trans, half-Cuban, half-Irish student of archaeology and anthropology, I am committed to approaching these sites with care, curiosity, and an awareness of my positionality as a non-Black person. My interest lies in both the intellectual and somatic dimensions of these histories—reading, studying, and analyzing, but also feeling, witnessing, and moving in response to these spaces.

These trips are open to others who are similarly invested in embodied research, historical accountability, and liberation-oriented study. There is space for 4–5 people in the car for the overnight trips. Participants will be selected through a short application process, which asks about your perspective on this work and any access needs. Some applicants may be invited for a brief conversation to ensure alignment.

Schedule:

Friday, February 23: National African American Burial Ground (NYC) (One-Day Trip)

Meet at the site in the morning (exact time TBD)

Group discussion and reflective movement practice

Optional: Lunch together afterward

Friday, March 1: Seneca Village (NYC) (One-Day Trip)

Meet at the site in the morning (exact time TBD)

Engage with historical research and site-specific movement

Optional: Group discussion afterward

Thursday–Friday, April 4–5: Timbuctoo, North Elba (Overnight Trip)

Thursday: Meet at 4:30 p.m. at my apartment (Sunset Park, Brooklyn, near the 59th St N train)

Drive to North Elba, overnight stay

Friday: Site visit, group research and somatic exploration

Return to NYC by 8:30 p.m.

Thursday–Friday, May 2–3: Skunk Hollow, New Jersey (Overnight Trip)

Thursday: Meet at 4:30 p.m. at my apartment

Drive to Skunk Hollow, overnight stay

Friday: Site visit, research and movement exploration

Return to NYC by 8:30 p.m.

Thursday–Friday, June 6–7 (Tentative): Dunker Hook, New Jersey (Overnight Trip)

Thursday: Meet at 4:30 p.m. at my apartment

Drive to Dunker Hook, overnight stay

Friday: Site visit, research and movement exploration

Return to NYC by 8:30 p.m.

Equity & Access:

Gas & lodging costs will be split among participants. However, financial accessibility is a priority—if cost is a barrier, support is available.

Food & transit support: If you need assistance covering meals or public transportation to meeting points, please indicate this in your application. I want these trips to be truly accessible, not just in theory.

Resource-sharing: If you have the means to contribute beyond your own costs, that generosity can help ensure others can participate.

How to Join:

To apply, fill out the short form linked here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and all applicants will receive a response. Depending on interest, some applicants may be invited for a brief conversation.

These trips are an opportunity to engage deeply with histories of Black self-determination, resistance, and survival—through movement, presence, and study. If this resonates with you, I invite you to apply.