iThings 2 Collard Greens
CFA has partnered with iThings 2 Collard Greens summer program. This program is a girls summer camp led by local DC healer and artist Rev. Kathy English Holt (Mama Kathy). Every summer, DC girls between the ages of 8-12 years old head South to learn to nurture the whole person, including: the body with plant-based nutrition, gardening, green household cleaning, dance and yoga; the mind with affirmations, historic African-American women leaders, sewing and knitting; and the spirit with meditation, African heritage teachings, service projects, poetry and community-building. Youth need to know about simpler, and healthier foods, surroundings, activities and relationships—symbolized by collard greens. For many African-Americans, collard greens brings to mind Grandma’s down-home cooking and a closer-to-nature lifestyle. Grandma’s world should become part of ours.
Since 2012, Mama Kathy and her camp director, Mama Cheryl and a devoted team of volunteers have worked with 300 black girls in DC through mentorship and cultural arts enrichment programming. They have take over a dozen young women to South Carolina to disconnect from the busy city and connect to the simpler ways of life. Inspired by DC Shero, Nannie Helen Burroughs 1909 vocational school , Mama Kathy has continued the mission to empower, educate and enlighten DC black young women. Continuing Burroughs’ legacy, with the girls learning simpler and healthier ways, the future is looking less tech-obsessed and more refreshing.