Family Tree Forest: Deeply Rooted and Planting Our Future
by Free Yannoh Bangura Sama, Southside ReLeaf guest blogger and Founder of Untold RVA
Photography by Heather Addley Photography (except author photo)
For many Black families, tracing our ancestry back through the generations is a journey of many, many challenges. The untold stories from the days of slavery and the lack of proper record-keeping have often left us with lots of missing branches on our family trees. But while we may not always know the names of our ancestors, we can still honor the ones who had the strongest character and with the seeds of that positive energy, we can create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Today, in honor of Black History Month, we're excited to introduce an earth-friendly tradition that celebrates our West African roots and fosters a deeper connection to our honored ancestors, known and unknown.
Behold: The Family Tree Forest.
Family Tree Promise
Inspired by the wisdom of Free Yannoh Bangura Sama, the founder of Untold RVA, this new tradition invites families to select a special tree in their neighborhood—a tree that speaks to them, that stands as a symbol of their family's deep roots and self determination.
By making a Family Tree Promise, you are making a commitment to:
Protect your Family Tree and the trees in your community.
Plant new trees to expand the green spaces in your neighborhood, or support Southside ReLeaf’s greening efforts by volunteering.
Become a guardian of green spaces and inspire others to do the same.
FAMILY TREE PROMISEFor those who came before us,
For those who will follow us,
For the trees that surround us,
We promise to honor the past…
To nurture the present…
And bless the future.
May our collective work inspire generations.
Power to the People! May it be so.
Family Tree Blessing
As you stand before your chosen tree, recite the Family Tree Blessing to solidify your commitment and honor the generations who came before you.
FAMILY TREE BLESSING
From roots to branches, blessings flow,
May this tree watch our family grow.
And may all our children that are yet to come,
Give thanks and praises for what we have done.
May the light shine bright on our sacred place,
And bless all the leaves in this green space.
And upon the shoulders of those we stand,
May all our ancestors bless this land.
Share Your Family Tree Story
We encourage you to capture this special moment by taking a photo of your family in front of your Family Tree. Share your pictures with Southside ReLeaf on Instagram (@southsidereleaf) or email them to sarah@southsidereleaf.org to connect with other families who are embracing this new tradition and creating a greener future for our community.
Remember, every tree we plant or preserve is a testament to our self determination, a symbol of our deep roots, and a gift to future generations. By adopting a Family Tree, we're not just honoring our past, we're actively shaping our future.
Join Untold RVA’s Family Tree Forest movement with Southside ReLeaf and let's grow together!
About the Author
Free Bangura Sama is a keeper of ancestor remembrance traditions from Richmond, VA. In 2013, she founded Untold RVA to inspire non-traditional audiences with bold typography, audio enhanced street art, and urban exploration.
Bangura Sama’s work has encouraged countless Richmond residents and visitors to consider her home town as “The Birthplace of Black Freedom™”, a title she chose as a tribute to the self determined legacy of Brother General Gabriel and other local changemakers who deserve to be remembered.
People of all ages and backgrounds credit Free with having taught them how to call upon their own ancestors of good character, known and unknown, how to build sacred spaces she uniquely calls 11:11 ancestor portals and to incorporate West African memory culture into the architecture of cities across the country.
Free is a Soros Equality Fellow and has served as a bureau chief at the United States Department of Arts and Culture. She is a founding member of the BLK RVA action team and was elected the chair of Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s History and Culture Commission.
Two Mayoral proclamations have been attributed to Free’s leadership and advocacy, one in honor of GABRIEL WEEK, her annual summer remembrance event from August 23rd to 30th and the other entitled “Black Freedom Day” celebrated every year during Black History Month on February 20th, a day that coincides with her own day of birth.
These days, Free lives and works as an Ambassador and nation builder in the Republic of Sierra Leone, the West African homeland of her ancestors on both sides, after having been granted citizenship by its President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio. Her latest project is the establishment of the Embassy for Traditional Affairs in Freetown.
Free is most excited to continue many decades of legacy work in her hometown by guest blogging for Richmond Region Tourism’s Visit BLK RVA website, encouraging freedom seekers from all over the African diaspora to think of Richmond as the “Last Stop on the Underground Railroad™”, as they embark on a life-changing pilgrimage to our city before travelling onward to the Motherland.
Southside ReLeaf is very happy to host content from Free Bangura Sama as she helps us explore the deeply rooted connections between environmental stewardship and cherishing the memories of one’s own ancestors. In honor of Black History Month and beyond, we welcome you and your beloveds to join us in observing this collection of feel-good activations called the “Family Tree Forest™”.
