Seneca Village represents the beginning of social equity for free Blacks in New York City. Black people and Black bodies have had to navigate and adapt through and within natural and man-made spaces, as property themselves or property they own. [it’s disturbing that the laws of property are more defined than the rights of a people.] Building safe spaces and dwellings, building Black, economic wealth and also creating political power through land ownership is also what Seneca Village represents to me. Had it been able to grow and develop – how might that rewrite the historical landscape of Black people in New York City? On a more emotional level – where have the descendants of the citizens of Seneca Village gone? – Where have they navigated and aligned their positions and Black bodies? My intent is to make “free environments” within my work and to create atmospheres that subconsciously give room to notions and connections of safety.