Narrative Change
The Lupine Collaborative’s approach is based on the reality that Black women, non-binary, and transgender people are disproportionately impacted by environmental & climate change and must be abundantly and urgently resourced to implement solutions for the livelihood of themselves and their communities.
At the same time, we are in a critical battle for the narrative against those who wish to hide and minimize the impacts of the climate crisis as well as those who wish to remove and ignore the disproportionate way that Black folks are impacted by it. Lupine is positioned to resource those experiencing the worst impacts of the crisis with the capital, community, and infrastructure necessary to tell the truth about who we are, what we are experiencing, and how our communities have and will continue to resist.
In A Future for Us All, a report from Race Forward’s Butterfly Lab, the authors state “Cultural change precedes social change. Narrative drives policy. This is why we must be as strategic and rigorous in building narrative power as we are in building all other forms of power. Narrative is the space in which energies are activated to preserve a destructive system or build a better world for us all.”
With policy, culture, and norms being influenced by narrative, Black women, transgender, and non-binary folks must be resourced and supported in having their voices heard. In the absence of our voices, climate regulations, and policies are made that are ignorant, and sometimes, hostile to our communities. Lupine is a critical intervention and a necessary lever for the democratization of climate solutions that sustain Black life.
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, we do this knowing that 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 pioneer species.
"Pioneers produce several effects that improve conditions for later arrivals; they change the pH of the soil, making it more favorable for other plants, and their presence increases soil stability and reduces the impact of damaging winds. As pioneer plants grow, they transform the environment in ways that make additional resources available, including providing access to soil that may lie beneath sidewalks, pavement, or lava, or loosening highly compacted soil. Each individual creates a new microclimate—a local climate that may differ from that of the larger ecosystem. The created microclimate can support the plant’s own growth, as well as contribute to the success of later-emerging species that have greater demands than the earlier-emerging hardy plants.”
- Lessons from Plants, Dr. Beronda L. Montgomery
Akin to Lupines, Black women, transgender, and non-binary people act as pioneer species in an ecosystem; improving and creating the conditions for themselves and 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
Strategic Partnerships & Events Lead
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.