The Sapling Remembers: Radical Freedom, Ancestral Wisdom, and the Long Arc of Healing

Justice is calling—will you answer? Step deep into 1800s Germantown, the historic hotbed of Underground Railroad activity right here in Philadelphia, and witness history in motion. This isn't just a performance; it is a movement for freedom that demands your presence.

Imagine standing in a room back in October 1859, at The Church of the Annunciation on Carpenter Lane, surrounded by a "spirited" recruitment meeting where giants of the abolitionist movement take the stage. You experience the uplifting music and soaring spirituals, and the fiery oratory of icons like Harriet Tubman, Henry Box Brown, and John Brown—inviting you into the raid on Harpers Ferry as they do whatever it takes to enlist the next wave of freedom fighters.

In that sacred space, there is a young girl. She has just lost her mother to the auction block and is destined for that same horrific outcome. Clutched tightly in her hands is a dolly—a simple toy crafted by her community to soothe her through the unsoothable. As she stands there, she recalls the speech her mother gave her for surviving this ordeal.

When she returns to the room, time has shifted. She is older, wiser, and now steps into her power as a griot—a keeper of history and truth. She shares a story of liberation and freedom, reminding every soul present that we were made to dream, remember, and manifest a better future.

During this powerful journey, a song emerges:

I am but a sapling,

and what a gift is that

that I someday will be a tree

The axe will forget but the tree remembers

I am that tree

As we navigate 2026—our nation’s Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary)—we are constantly bombarded by political rhetoric, midterm noise, systemic demands, and deep outrage. Yet, the wisdom of the griot remains crystal clear: The axe will forget, but the tree remembers.

For ambitious creatives, social justice advocates, and "First & Only" leaders, the stories and knowledge we carry can feel like a heavy physical weight. Whether you are an artist putting your rawest vulnerabilities on display or a corporate executive holding space for an entire organization, society often demands that you walk in your power everywhere. But true liberation requires vulnerability—like a seed cracking open to reach out for nurturance.

Like the young girl holding her dolly, we often construct psychological coping mechanisms to survive hostile environments. But survival is not our final destination—thriving is. When we step into our role as the "griot" of our own lives, we are transformed from surviving systemic harm to authoring our own liberation. We acknowledge that while systemic forces (the axe) may attempt to erase our struggle or overwrite our narrative, our somatic and emotional bodies (the tree) retain the profound wisdom and resilience needed to heal.

Grounding Your Body is "Caring for the Sapling"

When the noise of your life triggers your nervous system into fight, flight, or freeze, use this simple body-weighting and breath exercise to re-engage your vagus nerve and anchor yourself in the present moment:

1. Plant Your Feet: Sit or stand with both feet flat on the floor. Imagine thick, deep roots extending from the soles of your feet deep into the earth.
2. Engage the Vagus Nerve (Humming Resonance): Take a deep, slow breath in through your nose, filling your diaphragm. As you exhale, hum softly with a low pitch (Mmmmmm). Feel the vibration in your chest and throat—this signals safety directly to your brain.
3. Open the Hands: Open your palms, resting them gently on your lap, your heart, or by your sides. Repeat silently: "My hands, my heart, my mind are open. I am that tree."

Let the Tree Remember

After grounding yourself, ask these questions as you prepare for the day:

• Ancestral Wisdom: What legacy or ancestral wisdom am I currently drawing strength from today?
• Dropping the Cape: What expectation or overperformance do I need to release this week to protect my energy?
• Somatic Commitment: Which body practice will I commit to today when I feel decision fatigue or emotional overload?

Ready to Root into Your Radical Authenticity?

Join us for "HERE AND NOW: Voices of Emancipation - Underground Railroad Theatre." Come experience this live, interactive history, purchase your ticket, and ground with us in our shared commitment to the liberty we all deserve.

• Event Date: Aug 2, 2026
• Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: The Church of the Annunciation, 324 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA

Click Here to Get Your Tickets on EventBrite & Reserve Your Place in the Circle

#CrownStraightening #WOCLeadership #BeTrueCounseling #InternalFamilySystems #SomaticHealing #BlackJoy #MentalHealthMatters #AuthenticLeadership #SelfCare