Fugitive Sanctuaries DC

photograph by Alexis Mckenney

photograph by Colin Danville

photograph by Alexis Mckenney

photograph by Brandon Douglas

photograph by Colin Danville

photographs by Colin Danville, Brandon Douglas, and Alexis Mckenney.

Fugitive Sanctuaries DC is an ongoing series of rituals of remembrance that commemorate histories of Black fugitivity and marronage in the nation’s capital. Washington, DC carries a strong legacy of abolitionist and fugitive organizing. Fugitive Sanctuaries invites residents to consider these histories and how they can support Black-led, community-based organizing that is working towards abolition, community wellness, and community safety.

Fugitive Sanctuaries DC has activated a modular structure inspired by the sukkah and the hush harbor, both of which are temporary structures built by community to hold space for spiritual gathering and reflection. Participants are invited to assemble the structure, activate it through story circles, song circles, art-making, and ritual performance, and deconstruct it following each activation. It embodies some of the questions that our movements for liberation are asking... what are we excavating? What are we building? And how are we building together? It is an ongoing practice of collective care and renewal.

Fugitive Sanctuaries DC has continued to evolve and be stewarded by a collaborative group of Black organizers, healing practitioners, and cultural workers: Je’Kendria Trahan, Alexis McKenney, Brittney Washington and Jessica Valoris.

photographs by Maurice Bland and Jessica Valoris.

Fugitive Sanctuaries has been supported by the Public Interest Design Lab, a project of DC Public Library and the Goethe Institute.