The Story of 40 Acres & A School
40 Acres and a School is an urgent initiative for Black movement-builders, artists, educators, visionaries, healers, and communities. This project will facilitate the self-determination, sustainability, and generational wealth that Black MaGes (Marginalized Genders) deserve. 40 Acres and a School is DiDi Delgado’s radical and urgent vision to build a Black Liberation epicenter on the colonized lands of New England. This project centers Black movement-builders, artists, educators, visionaries, healers, and communities seeking self-determination, sustainability, and generational wealth.
Part of the 40 Acres initiative will be the Restore National Community Center: Community is at the center of all that D4D does, and D4D believes that radical transformation and healing can only occur through a strong communal network of support. An essential aspect of D4D mission is fostering community, artistic expression, and the exchange of ideas.
The Community Center, located on the land of the 40 Acres and a School project, will help establish a permanent, brick and mortar establishment to achieve the mission of the organization. Through developing a space where Black folks can come to learn, create, and talk, a thriving community centering Black existence and creativity will emerge. The Community Center will have a variety of maker spaces for artistic exploration. These spaces will be stocked with tools and resources to support creativity and artistic expression. The resources of the Community Center will be available to Black artists free of charge.
The Story of Rent For Moms
It all started with a Facebook post. As a cash-poor Black MaGe themselves, DiDi has often used the free media available to them to challenge white supremacy and complacency. On December 21, 2017, DiDi posted “We should cancel “Toys for Tots” and replace it with a “Rent for Moms” program, cuz that’s why we can’t afford the f***ing toys.” In December 2020, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, this vision was brought into being. Working with several other Black organizers the WLC raised $37,420 for over 20 single Black moms across the nation to pay two months of their rent over the holidays. At a time when many Black families were facing eviction and homelessness, and most programs are still a patchwork of “solutions” that don’t quite fit, the WLC was able to provide a solid foundation for these families to thrive and shine. When Black moms are supported, Black communities are supported.