Black Girl Environmentalist And Studio Museum In Harlem Climate Week Gathering Obsidian: Soil, Soul, Song
Harlem will welcome a day of environmental dialogue, wellness, art, repair, and music on Saturday, September 26, 2026, when Black Girl Environmentalist and the Studio Museum in Harlem present Obsidian: Soil, Soul, Song.
The free Climate Week gathering runs from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Studio Museum, 144 West 125th Street, bringing together Black environmental leaders, artists, activists, makers, and neighbors for programming rooted in ecology, resilience, creativity, and collective well-being. RSVPs are required, and ASL interpretation will be available.
Harlem Climate Gathering Blends Environmental Justice, Wellness, Art, Repair, Music
The day begins with Obsidian: The Black Anthropocene, an opening panel from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. focused on Black ecology, environmentalism, and the urgent need for climate solutions that center communities most affected by environmental change. Moderated by Kolu Zigbi-Johnson, the conversation will feature Karen Washington, farmer and activist with Rise and Root Farm; Joanna Dorsey, executive director for policy and social impact at Black Farmers United-NYS; and Amaha Kassa, founder and executive director of African Communities Together.
Never miss new stories in Harlem
Together, the panelists will examine the disproportionate impacts climate change has on Black and Brown communities while discussing ecological stewardship, public-policy change, and tools drawn from communities across the African diaspora. The opening conversation will be followed by a performance from fellows of BLIS Collective.
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., guests can take part in The Three Sisters: Oshun, Yemoja, Oya, a series of drop-in workshops, demonstrations, and conversations inspired by nature-centered wellness. Capacity is limited for workshops and activations, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.
The Studio Museum’s terrace will become Wellness SKY, featuring movement, meditation, and space to reflect. Laraaji will lead a laugh meditation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; attendees are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats. Later, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Black Girl Fight Club will lead Black Girl Yoga Club, a session designed as a supportive yoga sanctuary for Black women, femmes, and non-binary people.
Environmental creativity will also be at the center of Out the Mud, led by Lorena James from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants will see how invasive kudzu plants can be transformed into wearable hair beads through a “soil-punk”-inspired upcycling demonstration. Hair bundles will be supplied by Ciara Imani May.
For those interested in sustainable fashion and practical repair, Repair Café El Barrio will lead Knowledge of the Hands (El Saber de las Manos) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The participatory experience includes 30-minute sessions on sewing-machine basics, hemming, essential hand-stitching, visible mending, and sashiko-inspired techniques. Guests may bring one personal item for simple repair guidance.
Visitors can also meet local climate organizations during Conversation and Connection on Local Climate Action, with seeds provided by Oko Farms. The gathering closes from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Soil, Soul, Song, a musical performance on the Stoop.
Obsidian: Soil, Soul, Song is free and open to the public, offering Harlem residents and visitors a meaningful way to engage Climate Week through community, culture, and climate action.
Latest Posts
Become a Harlem Insider!
From history to today’s headlines—everything Harlem, in your inbox.
By signing up, you’re agreeing to receive communications from Harlem World Magazine and our Privay Policy.