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Black Butterfly

@blk_butterfly

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An Afrocentric mutual aid nonprofit, using radical imagination and emancipatory systems-thinking as part of our circle of change. (@joyful.roots)

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Yesterday was our 4th birthday. 🎉

4 years of providing mutual aid, wrap-around services and challenging oppressive systems using culture, creativity and community-led urban regeneration.

Interestingly, much like when we first started, this Bank holiday weekend has been full of local mutual aid provision, with our dream team supporting some of the 30,000+ people affected by the @southernwatermedia water outage fiasco since Thursday. 4 days (and counting) and still there are still many without water who may well be offered a paltry £20 compensation for each day.

Since 2020, we have worked to show #solidarity rather than charity, lift people up when they were brought down by local systems, and share space for people to be heard, seen and valued. We used the chaos of a global pandemic to gain access to spaces that were previously out of reach, due to systemic barriers. That moment of chaos allowed us the opportunity to co-develop and reimagine spaces, systems and realities.

Many people talk about (and profit from) the concept of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI). The spaces that we have enabled and / or co-created have had the most diverse footfall in the town…organically. This is because we celebrate diversity! It’s not an opportunistic, money-making game to us!

Instead, we question the existing systems which require a need for #DEI. 🤔

Despite our attempts to challenge and reimagine broken systems, like many Afrocentric organisations, we have been excluded, exploited, unfunded and underfunded, GASLIT, devalued, indebted, undermined, information extracted and co-opted, and the victim of a whispering campaign. No thanks, little inclusion and lots more barriers.

Challenging systems is hard work! It’s exhausting! But we know there are many other organisations doing the same work and facing the same hurdles, albeit somewhat different. Even with a global pandemic, nothing has changed for the better. The inequalities, inequities, injustices and gaslighting keep growing,

We are led by community need and now, more than ever, there is a definite need to reimagine what can be - to dream a new reality! 🙏🏾❤️

#afrofuturism
#blackbutterfly
#whatif taken in Joyful Roots by @blk_butterfly

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2 years ago

It’s been used for years, levelled at anyone opposing the Zionist atrocities by Isr*al and/or openly being pro-Pa!estinian. Jewish opponents were often accused of being ‘self-hating Jews’ and shunned by their communities.

In recent years, the UK Labour Party (@uklabour ) got it completely wrong when it was accused of supporting anti-sem!t!sm within the party. In fear of the slur, many Labour supporters were ousted, including former London Mayor, Ken Livingstone (initiator of the hire bike scheme, rebranded the ‘Boris’ bike in a standard supremacist move) and former leader, @jeremycorbyn

It was dangerous to throw the term around then and it is dangerous now!

To be clear:
1) Jews are not the only Semites and
2) this video response is a demonstration of why critical thinking is important.

It’s time to wake up now!

#redpillbluepill

📷 @thatpsychnpchick taken in United States of America by @blk_butterfly

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3 years ago

Last week was a bit of a whirlwind of events and activities for our small, community-led organisation. We’re made up of volunteers who give up their time to support and uplift our community - in as joyful a way as possible.

We are just ordinary people filling a void in services and doing extraordinary things together. We remain grateful to our volunteers who juggle their own work and family commitments, as well as mental and physical health issues, to provide community-led social services.

We are our community, without whom we couldn’t do any of this amazing work! Thank you for being a part of our story and sharing this journey with us! 🙏🏾🙏🏽❤️

#africandiaspora
#haitianculture
#culturalheritage
#haitinheritage
#haitianqueen
#heritage
#solidarity

@tnlcommunityfund taken in Hastings, East Sussex by @blk_butterfly

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4 years ago

⏰📣 Are you a student, part-time, low-waged, or unpaid worker, a new entrant farmer or otherwise unable to afford a general ticket to ORFC?

We have a limited number of subsidised tickets available for you to attend the UK’s largest agroecology gathering, and they’re selling fast!

For just £115, gain access to over 150 talks, workshops and performances on everything from crop care in a changing climate and farming with neurodiversity, to the role of fungi in healthy soils and creating a regenerative economy for the alternative food system, and so much more!

Farmers, growers, students, organisers, activists and artists come to ORFC to learn and connect with the movement changing the future of food and farming. They come away inspired to live this future in the present.

Our subsidised tickets are likely to sell out very soon - get yours before they’re gone at https://orfc.org.uk/ 💚👩🏽‍🌾🌾 taken in Oxford by @blk_butterfly

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16 days ago

@1judilove #makingitmakesense

Behind the humour of this post are some real points about how we live and connect - then and now. The one we want to focus on is what changes when we lose beloved markets: third spaces that were, and still are, central to cultural and social life and to people’s livelihoods.

Some markets have become trendy and gentrified. Others, with little or no investment, have remained a source of connection, belonging and mutual support for many, many people. At their best, markets are where a community comes to know itself: recipes pass between generations, new traders find their feet, and every pound spent stays in the neighbourhood.

As campaigners and traders fight to save key markets across London, we wonder how much harm the loss of these spaces is doing…and will do. When local authorities favour property development with minimal social value over these third spaces, what is the long-term social, environmental and economic cost to local communities and beyond?

Don’t get us wrong: markets could be vastly improved to show greater value, from product sourcing to workforce care and supply chains. But gentrification and removal shouldn’t be the only options. Local authorities should work with partners on the ground to secure these spaces for communities and raise standards, alongside those most affected, with care, humility and proper resourcing.

To everyone working to save these valued market spaces: thank you. We stand with you in solidarity. ✊🏾❤️

#buybackbrixton #saveridleyroadmarket #saveridleyroad taken in London, United Kingdom by @blk_butterfly

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19 days ago

#nottinghillcarnival2026 here we come!

Here’s a snapshot of yesterday’s final meetings and rehearsals.

Many months in the making.
Several tonnes of recycled materials repurposed for costumes and instruments.
Performer ages ranging from: 4 yrs - 80yrs old.
Collabs with several UK and international groups.

The spirit of carnival runs deep @1dende.nation and the 200-strong troupe. Were so grateful to be a part of this historic event — culture, heritage, community, resistance, legacy, celebration, joy — and to have been able to offer continued support to Creative Director @mac_dende, his core team and the troupe.

The beauty and power of the most marginalised communities to show love and unity in the face of systemic demonisation, exclusion and oppression, will never cease to amaze us.

@nhcarnivalldn we are honoured to contribute to your 60th anniversary celebrations. 🎉🙌🏾🙌🏾

#nottinghillcarnival60 taken in Notting Hill Carnival by @blk_butterfly

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2 months ago

ONE MINUTE OF PURE @nhcarnivalldn VIBES! 🔥🥁💚💛❤️

In 2025, we had the privilege of welcoming @version_musictv a creative music platform showcasing exceptional talent from around the globe to capture Dendê Nation on the road at Notting Hill Carnival.

And THIS is what they saw. 🎥✨
 The movement, drums, colours, community, joy, resistance & the energy that can only be Carnival.

We’re so happy to announce that @version_musictv will be with us once again in 2026, documenting another chapter of our journey. What a gift to have their lens with us as we celebrate and honour this historic year: 60 years of existence & resistance at Notting Hill Carnival.

From last year’s memories to what is about to come… the countdown is ON. 🔥

Two weeks to go! Are you ready?

Supported by @aceagrams @bigyellowselfstorage @blk_butterfly and @nhcarnivalldn

🥁 Dendê Nation costumes by @sustentacarnaval  🎥 Video: @version_musictv  📍 Notting Hill Carnival 2025 “Roots of CommUnity”

#DendeNation #NottingHillCarnival #NHC2026 #NHC60 taken in Notting Hill Carnival by @blk_butterfly

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2 months ago

August is our season of #givingblack.

Since 2022, we’ve dedicated the month of August (home to Emancipation Day and the height of Black cultural celebration) to supporting Black-led events across the country - part of our commitment to community wellbeing and collective liberation.

Our thanks to the fab team @blackunitybikeride for curating this brilliant ride, which launches our season of #givingblack.

Honestly, it’s so magical to see thousands of riders of every ability, age, gender and hue on a variety of bikes - normalising inclusion and celebrating diversity. @blackunitybikeride is truly a sight to behold!

Congratulations to all of the brilliant riders and much gratitude to the many wonderful volunteer ground and ride marshals. 🙏🏾❤️💛💚

We’re hoping to join an international ride soon, but until then, we’ll look forward to this annual event.

#bubr2026
#britishcycling🚴🏾
#blackcyclingnetwork taken in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by @blk_butterfly

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2 months ago

Join us for a FREE Afroecology Workshop delivered by GoGrowWithlove and The Earth Sistren Collective. On August 9th, Coco Collective- Ital Community Gardens is grateful to kick off this land-based workshop series, while sharing space with @blackrootz__ , @blackgrowthuk , @awesidefarm & @blk_butterfly 🌱

Afroecology is more than a way of growing food. It’s about remembering ancestral wisdom, caring for the land in harmony with nature, and building stronger, self-sustaining communities through collective action.

4 Week Workshop Series:
📍 9 August – Coco Collective- Ital Community Gardens
📍 23 August – Black Rootz
📍 29 August – Black Growth
📍 30 August – Aweside Farm & Black Butterfly

Join us for the launch of the Workshop series by signing up on Afroecology link in our bio. 🔗

Please connect with the other green spaces to register for their respective dates.

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#Afroecology #FoodSovereignty #LandStewardship #CocoCollective #WomenLed taken in Bellingham, London by @blk_butterfly

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3 months ago

🚨 STEWARDS WANTED – JOIN DENDÊ NATION AT NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2026! 🚨

We’re looking for as many fantastic volunteers as possible to parade with us and help keep our participants safe, supported and smiling throughout the day.

As a steward you’ll receive:
👕 A FREE Dendê Nation T-shirt
🥁 The chance to dance, sing and shake your way through the streets of Notting Hill
💛 The opportunity to be part of one of the world’s greatest street celebrations while helping create a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

📅 Sunday 30 August
👧🏾 Kids’ Parade
🕗 Meet-up: 8:00am
🎉 Parade starts: 10:00am

This year we’re celebrating Rooted & Rising: Ijó Ìdílé – Your Ancestral Dance, alongside the Reggae Choir and the 60th anniversary of Notting Hill Carnival. Come and help us make this landmark celebration unforgettable!

Interested? Get in touch and join the Dendê Nation family.

Produced by @gandaiaorg
Supported by @aceagrams @bigyellowselfstorage @blk_butterfly @brixton.village

#dendenation #reggaechoir #nottinghillcarnival taken in Notting Hill Carnival by @blk_butterfly

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3 months ago

Earlier this year we were part of a report called, Creating Places for Everyone - a report about the need for safe, nurturing, culturally-rooted spaces in local community settings.

Today, as part of the Soulful Wellbeing sessions - relational, restful, nourishing - offered by @achfoodnetwork, we experienced the beautiful garden space created by our brilliant friends @earth.tenders.

The space? An urban growing oasis, seemingly in a sea of parkland and privilege.

Spaces like this seem to be the exception, rather than being the norm, in our southeast corner of the country. Creating these types of environmentally and socially responsible spaces, especially when led by and for impacted communities, continues to feel like an act of resistance in the face of social norms and harms.

Communities transforming spaces and supporting people and planet? Hmmm.

We remain in awe of:
• The justice and systems change organisations showing that a different way is most definitely possible.
• The spatial reimagining and transformations being co-developed with, and held by/for, communities.
• The policymakers, wealth holders/funders and infrastructure organisations sharing power, wealth and space…and/or clearing the way.
• The many grassroots changemakers doing this necessary and exhaustive work.

We appreciate you! 🙏🏾💚

#urbangrowingspaces
#creatingplacesforeveryone
#environmentaljusticematters taken in Dulwich Park by @blk_butterfly

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3 months ago