Sacred Black Spaces Research

The "Scared Black Spaces of Emotional Joy and Freedom" project explores the profound emotional and psychological connections between Black individuals and the spaces they inhabit. While much of the discourse surrounding Black spaces focuses on fear and marginalization, this research shifts the lens to uncover moments of joy, resilience, and liberation within those same environments.

Historically, Black communities have been forced to navigate spaces that are laden with racial tensions, exclusion, and surveillance. However, within these landscapes of oppression, Black individuals have consistently created pockets of emotional freedom—where joy, creativity, and a sense of belonging flourish. My research investigates these scared spaces, not as places of fear, but as sites of cultural expression, community building, and personal liberation.

Through a combination of oral histories, community workshops, and spatial analysis, this project illuminates the often-overlooked ways Black people reclaim their spaces, turning areas once associated with racial trauma into realms of emotional joy. From the vibrant energy of block parties and communal gatherings to the quieter moments of reflection in parks and homes, these spaces are imbued with layers of resistance and affirmation.