Our third session, held on 16th December, was dedicated to two speakers, Andy Horn and Eckardt Dauck, who introduced us to two very different ways of building with straw.

Andy Horn who is a South African Architect and Principal of Eco Design Architects with over 24 years of experience demystified the notion of building with straw bales. He also showcased previously completed projects, shared his experiences and findings as well as the various experimentations his firm has done with the material.

We were also delighted about the presence of the founder of Zero Carbon Designs, Eckardt Dauck, who presented to us his made-in-Uganda Zero Carbon straw panel, and how it is being used in construction throughout East Africa.

⁣Dr Yosef Ben Jochannan: On WLIB 3/11/92 "The Black Jew From Outside the Door" [Pt 2/2]

⁣Dr. Ivan Van Sertima - Egypt Revisited

⁣Integrated Seawater Agricultural Systems ISAS Mexico [2010]

⁣Darren will share his research that looks at the important historical and current events that have impacted and shaped the lives of African people in the diaspora. He will provide insight into some of traumatic experiences that we as the current generations inherit and how it affects us today.

Exploring some of the healing modalities accessible through rites of passage which include the use of entheogenic plants, Darren will highlight some ground breaking research that supports these activities as a way to start the healing process.

With the renaissance gaining momentum, how do we ensure that all people across the world, from all backgrounds, are represented at the table and consulted about the future applications of these psychedelic experiences?

Darren Springer is a grass-roots researcher and event organiser based in London. After setting up Ancient Future in 2006, he has continued to develop workshops and projects geared around creative arts, personal-development and African-Caribbean spiritual systems in his community. Collectively his work aims to inform and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to cope with social challenges and contribute to community development as well as self-improvement in an innovative and culturally-aware style. He has presented at the Breaking Convention in London, the Detroit Entheogenic Conference, Ozora in Hungary, Altered in Berlin and numerous consciousness. Darren is a knowledgeable and dynamic speaker who is passionate about sharing his research on African Entheogenic plants and their various applications on the continent and the diaspora.

⁣Traditional healing has been a go-to therapy in Africa before the West(north) introduced its medicinal practice on the continent. In South Africa, there are traditional healers called Sangomas, and they are called by spirits of ancestors to be healers.

African Americans have been fighting for reparations since emancipation. Some AAs believe this is solely our fight and that we will win by our efforts alone. Others believe reparations is possible with the help of Mother Africa and Diasporan Africans. Join me this Saturday at 8pm EST as I discuss this topic with Brother Omowale Afrika.