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Thank you for supporting Black Land Ownership’s Lot to Legacy: South Memphis Garden Project. Your generosity is helping us take the first steps toward transforming a quarter-acre lot in the heart of South Memphis, just minutes from the historic Stax Museum, into a living, breathing community space rooted in Black land stewardship, food justice, and intergenerational healing. With your support, and in collaboration with incredible folks from Habitat for Recovery, local artists, and community advocates, we are now closer to beginning the process of reclaiming a vacant lot for community use and ecological restoration. We are honored to be part of this work alongside others who care deeply about the future of South Memphis.We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to have you with us. www.blacklandownership.com @blacklandownershipWith deep gratitude and in solidarity, Christopher Banks Carr & Melissa Hunter Gurney

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 Iffy Roma iffy@habitatrecovery.org 19736321695

The Black Land Ownership From Lot to Legacy: South Memphis Garden ProjectBlack Land Ownership is in the process of purchasing a 0.25-acre vacant lot in South Memphis, Tennessee—just five minutes from the Stax Museum and located in a neighborhood rich with cultural history. Habitat Recovery Project (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) is proud to fiscally sponsor this initiative, making all donations tax-deductible in support of the project<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1753737986/wysiwyg/qn5gnpitncawoqkxklv3.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1753737976/wysiwyg/ieucbgiy0bfyx05r6yqf.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> The goal is to purchase the lot, clear for debris, revitalize any vegetation, and start a community garden. We are already in touch with three local organizations that are able to assist in the process. The community garden would be a co-run space that will not require our oversight or heavy involvement once we get it off the ground and will consist of two components:<ol><li>Free produce cultivated at the garden</li><li>Offering young people an opportunity to start a business and generate revenue from some of the produce cultivated in the garden</li></ol>Fundraising GoalWe are organizing our first ever official fundraiser. We aim to raise $7,000 in one month. All of the funds raised will go directly to the Memphis Project. <div><table><tbody><tr><td>Expense</td><td>Amount</td></tr><tr><td>Property</td><td>$5,500</td></tr><tr><td>Title Insurance</td><td>$750</td></tr><tr><td>Closing Costs</td><td>$400</td></tr><tr><td>Travel to Sign</td><td>$350</td></tr><tr><td>Total Needed</td><td>$7,000</td></tr></tbody></table></div> Rewards for Donation <div><table><tbody><tr><td>Pledge</td><td>Reward</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>$20</td><td>Thank‑you acknowledgement on our website</td></tr><tr><td>$50</td><td>All of the above, plus garden sign</td></tr><tr><td>$100</td><td>All of the above, plus a commemorative brick in garden</td></tr><tr><td>$200</td><td>All of the above, plus a thank‑you letter mailed to you</td></tr><tr><td>$500</td><td>All of the above, plus a commemorative garden T‑shirt</td></tr><tr><td>$1,000</td><td>All of the above, plus a section of the garden named for a person you would want the world to know about</td></tr></tbody></table></div> What Can We Grow<ul><li>Cooler weather: Radishes, onions, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, lettuce, beets, carrots</li><li>Warm weather: Tomatoes, peppers, squash (including zucchini), cucumbers, corn, beans, eggplant, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew), okra, sweet potatoes</li><li>Small fruits &amp; vines: Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, other small bushes</li><li>Fruit trees: Peaches, plums, figs, pears, cherries, apricots (suitable for Zone 8a)</li><li>Nut trees: Pecans, black walnuts, Chinese chestnuts, hickory</li><li>Medicinal herbs</li></ul>Why South Memphis?South Memphis has long been a center of Black cultural, political, and economic life—home to historic figures like civil rights leader Maxine Smith and musician Isaac Hayes, with landmarks such as the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Lemoyne‑Owen College. What Makes This Unique for BLOThis is our first opportunity to purchase land in an urban area that also has an extensive history of a strong Black community. We are excited to work with local community members and Memphis is a city that I have visited multiple times.We are also excited to work in an area of the country with a longer growing season and connect with established grassroots organizations and community‑based mutual aid groups that are in South Memphis. Projects We Are Considering to Prototype on the Property<ul><li>Water capture</li><li>Soil reclamation</li><li>Mesh network and cloud library for recipes and community knowledge</li><li>A cool space</li><li>Milpa techniques</li></ul>Who or What Is Black Land Ownership Black Land Ownership is a grassroots organization, founded by Christopher Banks Carr and Melissa Hunter Gurney, to combat the historical, systematic and institutionalized marginalization experienced by people of African descent. OUR MISSION<ul><li>Short term: Centralize information, identify opportunities and empower Black people to purchase land—specifically in rural areas.</li><li>Long term: Fund land projects that support the Black community artistically, economically and educationally as well as connect the worlds of social justice, environment protection, permaculture and sustainability.</li></ul>Our Stewardship to DateWe now steward:<ul><li>Two .5‑acre plots in Arkansas</li><li>10 acres of wetlands in Mississippi</li><li>The ancestral home in Washington, D.C.</li></ul>We are not a 501(c)(3) and we are not backed by a wealthy funding source. We are a two‑person LLC (owned equally) that loses money every quarter—but we believe that what we are doing needs to be done even if it’s not profitable. All funds raised and generated from Black Land Ownership go back into Black Land Ownership. Our Impact &amp; History We work with people to create spaces that provide the safety to express oneself and share emotions, art, and work with others who are like‑minded. We work with communities to fight the historic and systemic racism which has led to 96% of privately held rural land being owned by people of European descent. We work to combat the fact that we, as part of the African diaspora, are essentially landless—owning less than 2% of the land in the USA.We are working to reconcile over 400 years of land theft, human displacement, state violence, corporate malfeasance and horrors, so unimaginable, that they aren’t allowed to be taught in schools. We are about information, strategy and implementation in solidarity with all those that seek equity. What Have We Done?<ul><li>Purchased a 15.6‑acre conservation property in Fly Creek—hosting a guided hike Nov 10 with “Farming while Black” as part of the Glimmerglass Film Days event.</li><li>Purchased a 22‑acre residential property with a 2‑bedroom/2‑bath house that we are remodeling ourselves and turning into an artists retreat—hosting over 20 people free of charge over the past two years.</li><li>Purchased two half‑acre plots in Arkansas to turn into outdoor sculpture parks and self‑serve organic food exchanges.</li><li>Purchased a 10‑acre wetlands property in an effort to protect coastal areas threatened by changes in federal protection regulations.</li><li>Traveled and presented to over ten conferences, conservation gatherings and real estate symposiums; hosted the American Forestry Foundation in Richfield; spoken in closed‑door sessions with Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill.</li></ul>In the past five years, we have received a grant from Purpose Earth, and I was a NY Teaching Artist Grant recipient supported by the Carnegie Mellon Foundation for two years. How You Can Get Involved If you would like to be involved in any capacity—as a supporter, volunteer, information resource, local connect, amplifier… send us a note or give me a call/text.Thank you for your support! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1753739744/wysiwyg/lqdmq1eozafunhoo8y7e.png" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;max-width:100%" />

From Lot to Legacy: South Memphis Garden Project

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Habitat Recovery Project

### Context Profile for Habitat Recovery Project

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
**Mission:** Habitat Recovery Project is dedicated to empowering Black communities through land ownership and stewardship. Their mission focuses on combating historical and systemic marginalization faced by people of African descent by facilitating access to land, particularly in rural areas. They aim to create spaces that foster artistic expression, economic opportunity, and educational advancement while promoting environmental sustainability.

**Cause:** The organization seeks to address the inequities in land ownership, where less than 2% of land in the USA is owned by individuals of African descent. They emphasize the importance of land as a means for community empowerment, food justice, and cultural heritage.

#### 2. Type of Activities
- **Community Projects:** The "From Lot to Legacy: South Memphis Garden Project" aims to purchase and transform a vacant lot into a community garden, providing free produce and business opportunities for local youth.
- **Fundraising Campaigns:** They are organizing fundraising efforts to support land acquisition and community initiatives, with a current goal of raising $7,000 for the South Memphis project.
- **Educational Initiatives:** The organization engages in educational outreach and community involvement to raise awareness about land ownership issues and sustainable practices.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
- **Tone:** The language used on the website and in communications is **inspiring**, **friendly**, and **informative**. It conveys a sense of urgency regarding the issues faced by marginalized communities while remaining approachable and community-focused.
- **Style:** The writing is straightforward, often using personal anecdotes and community-centric narratives to engage the audience emotionally.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
- **Emojis:** The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications, maintaining a professional and serious tone in their messaging.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Information:** Habitat Recovery Project is a grassroots organization founded by Christopher Banks Carr and Melissa Hunter Gurney.
- **Scale:** The organization has conducted 12 forms and two email campaigns, indicating active engagement with their community and supporters.
- **Impact Metrics:** They have successfully purchased multiple plots of land for conservation and community use, including a 15.6-acre conservation property and a 22-acre residential property for an artist retreat.
- **Volunteer Information:** They encourage community involvement and support, inviting volunteers and local connections to participate in their initiatives.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Content Style:** Use an inspiring and community-focused tone. Highlight personal stories and the impact of land ownership on individuals and communities.
- **Language:** Keep the language accessible and engaging, avoiding overly technical jargon. Use straightforward sentences and active voice to convey urgency and action.
- **Call to Action:** Encourage readers to get involved, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness about their initiatives. Make the benefits of participation clear and relatable.

This context profile serves as a guide for generating personalized content that aligns with the Habitat Recovery Project's mission, tone, and activities, ensuring that communications resonate with their audience and effectively promote their cause.

Habitat Recovery Project

From Lot to Legacy: South Memphis Garden Project

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