THE BLACK EXHALE NEST
THE BLACK BODY WAS CREATED TO BE LOVED
The Black Exhale Nest is a place to express and make the statement that the Black body is Sacred. It’s a place for the Black body to be embraced and cradled through its pain of violence, abuse, and shackling. It’s a place for the Black body to feel loved and cherished.
The first collaboration between The NEST Project and Black Exhale will begin in June 2022. At that time, a human-sized nest will be built and opened for NEST Portraits in Brooklyn, NY. In partnership with All Kings, an organization committed to liberation, the first round of portraits for the Black Exhale Nest will be dedicated to formerly incarcerated Black men. The NEST will serve as a container to love the ancestral and institutional wound.
The experience will include an interview process, a NEST portrait, and a crafted narrative representing what vulnerability they are bringing to The NEST. We have openings for up to 15 men.
This is a deeply healing experience and an opportunity for the men to not only express their vulnerable side but to also face a part of themselves that could use some more love.
DETAILS
During the month of June, a human-sized nest will be built out of natural materials at Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, NY. This process will include gathering community to build a safe space for the Black men who will be participating in the Black Exhale Nest Project.
Once The NEST is built, it will be moved to the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Brooklyn. A photo studio will be created and each participant will have a 1-2 hour session of being held in The NEST. The experience will include an interview, a photo shoot, and time in The NEST.
After the portraits have been taken and the art has been created, the participating men will continue to work with All Kings and Men’s Circle as a support and resource for further self reflection, expression, and healing. The NEST will later be donated to children at a local Community Garden.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Presented by Antoinette Cooper of Black Exhale and in collaboration with Debbie Baxter of The NEST Project, we are coming together to honor that the Black body was created to be loved.
In partnership with Aiby Galindez of All Kings, this project will serve as a safe space for 15 formerly incarcerated Black men to express themselves, heal from the past, and shed light on the impact of the criminal justice system on Black men in America.
Antoinette Cooper
antoinette@blackexhale.org
917.283.2389
Debbie Baxter
thenest@debbiebaxter.com
503.309.3371
Aiby Galindez
aiby@allkings.org
347.339.6056
Keith Gaffney
info@etcny.org
347.757.9757
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Submit an application:
bit.ly/blackexhalenest-apply
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
We are currently seeking participants, interns, and funding.
Please contact Antoinette or Debbie to get involved. (Contact details listed above.)
HOW TO DONATE
Financial support of this project is welcomed.
Visit this link to make a donation:
Spoken Word: Antoinette Cooper
Sound Healing: Elana Bell and Ben Brown