Black Studies: The Healing Collective, 2018

""The Healing Collective sought out to create a sacred and protected space focused on the historical traumas, perspectives and practices of Black women and our specific experiences at Bennington College. We established methods of healing and survival through music rehearsals and dinners, culminating in a large gathering and performance on May 10th; as well as a resource library available physically and digitally through Crossett Library that engages multiple modes of Black women’s praxis." --Ashlyn Haywood. "The Healing Collective is a practice revolving around Black women and our survival tactics at Bennington College. Started by Ash Haywood and Fiona McGovern in the Spring of 2017 during the Black Spring exhibition, the Healing Collective sought out to provide a space on campus to explore various modes of black women healing praxis, including spiritual, ancestral, herbal, reproductive and academic healing work. Through weekly music rehearsals, community dinners and a resource library, we draw on a Black feminist legacy from writers such as Lucile Clifton, Audre Lorde and Cheryl Clarke.​​ This project culminated in a concert during the music senior concert week on May 10th and a digital resource guide through the Crossett Library page."--Fiona McGovern."