Healing Schools Project

Blowing bubbles is the best way to unwind. We had a blast in circle today with the Path Program team at P.S. 126x Dr Marjorie H Dunbar in CSD9

Shout out to our Lead Circle Keeper Mia Hunte!

On March 14th, we gathered with educators from Bronx Community School District 9 at the beautiful Wave Hill to restore, reflect, and reconnect — not just as educators, but as human beings. Root & Bloom was a reminder that when we intentionally create space for care and joy, community becomes something we can feel.

We opened the day with these words from our keynote, Dr. Yaribel Mercedes: "May today be the start of tending to your soil — watering yourself so that you can (re)member. So that you can nourish and bloom the best parts of yourself, mind, body, and spirit."

And we closed with this truth from our Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Wenimo Okoya: "The fact that you made the choice to heal in community on your Saturday is its own act of resistance." 🌱✨

At the end of the day, educators said it best: this was so needed. This was the recharge I needed. I was reminded that caring for ourselves is just as important as the work we do for our students.

A heartfelt thank you to Robin Hood Foundation and Pinterest for making this day possible — and to every District 9 educator who showed up for themselves and each other. This is what community care looks like.

✨ Special thanks to everyone who made this day what it was: 🏛️ Day Architect — Tahirah Bellinger 🎤 Keynote and Speakers — Dr. Yaribel Mercedes, Principal Kamaro Neblett and Superintendent Harry Sherman 📿 Circle and Somatic Practices — Mia Hunte and Amanda Faison 🎵 Healing through Music and Vibes — Dr. Justis Lopez 📸 Photography — Jorge Rojas 🎥 Videography — Chinua 🌿 Space — Wave Hill 🍽️ Catering — Great Performances 💆🏽 Massages — LoDo Massage

Today we’re spotlighting Antigone Cox, an educator who attended our Root & Bloom retreat and is doing incredible, intentional work in her school and community. ⁠
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🌸 What brings you to today’s retreat? ⁠
I needed some self-care to be completely honest. As an educator, you give so much of yourself and then by the end of the week, you're just spent. And so, the moment I saw this opportunity, I was like, sign up immediately. ⁠
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🌱 How has participating in HSP programming impacted you?⁠
Being part of the Professional Learning Community has transformed me. We need to have that space. We need to have healing, restoration if there's any harm that's done, and repair. We need to have joy at the end of the day. ⁠
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I want to be able to help support as many educators to stay. They want to stay in the classroom. They want to elevate upwards in education, in leadership and district. I want to be able to help support that and create those communities as well.⁠
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