About Us
Our Approach
The Lupine Collaborative’s approach is based on the understanding that Black women, non-binary, and transgender people are disproportionately impacted by environmental and climate change and must be abundantly and urgently resourced to implement solutions for the livelihood of themselves and their communities. Lupine insists that the solutions need to be as targeted and unrelenting as the systems designed to oppress, constrict, and cut us off from resources.
Lupine is situated in the lineage of the work of the members of the Combahee River Collective who stated, “We realize that the only people who care enough to work consistently for our liberation is us. Our politics evolve from a healthy love for ourselves, our sister, and our community which allows us to continue to struggle and work.”
Furthermore, Lupine does this knowing when we center Black women, non-binary, and transgender people “...it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression. Always ally yourself with those on the bottom, on the margins, and at the periphery of the centers of power.” – Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor.
Why Lupine?
Lupines are nitrogen-fixing plants. These plants, also known as facilitator plants, are critical to primary succession, as they enrich otherwise intolerable soil and allow other species to establish. Most notably on Mt. St Helens, lupines were the first plant to return after the volcano erupted. The lupines enriched the the soil with nitrogen, adding organic material, to create the conditions for other plants and animals to return.
When Black women, non-binary, and transgender people are resourced we act as facilitator plants in society and provide rich soil for others to root and thrive.
Meet the Team
Several aspects of Grace’s career have led to the founding of The Lupine Collaborative and her being uniquely positioned to cultivate this work. Her lived experience as a queer Black woman in these fields has pushed her to question, shift, and reshape the field into a space where she and others are expected, reinforced, and trusted to lead, dream, and build. Secondly, Grace would be remiss to not mention the brilliant network and community of people who have and continue to support her to take risks, challenge her to think bigger, and hold her lovingly accountable.
Mo Asebiomo
he/him and they/them
Narrative & Design Strategy
Mo Asebiomo is a graduate in Psychology and Theatre & Performing Arts from Stanford University.
For the past five years, he has worked at the intersection of equity and social justice in the outdoors, building skills in public speaking, program management and curriculum development. Most recently they spoke at the Brava Theater in San Francisco for the screening of Wade in the Water: A journey into Black surfing and aquatic culture. As an outdoor educator, his experience has touched the land and ocean through rock climbing, surfing and backpacking.
In their writing, Mo’s commitment has been to promote meaningful dialogue in service of strategic liberation work. In their debut book, It’s My Pleasure: Decolonizing Sex Positivity they connect their experience in equity and inclusion facilitation to Black liberation and pleasure activism, advocating that we are all deserving of pleasure and joy is an essential ingredient for our social justice movements.
Based in Oakland, Mo is rooted in chosen community, especially as the incoming Radical Monarchs Oakland Chapter Troop leader. As a troop leader, Mo co-creates positive and affirming learning environments for youth, fostering connections to self and community.