Growing a restorative community 🌱Jodianne Beckford, Noire Girls Plant

8 snips

Nov 23, 2020

Jodianne Beckford shares her inspiring journey of creating a thriving community centered around plants. From personal struggles, she discovered the healing power of nature and sought connection with others. Her first event blended yoga, spoken word, and plant care, encouraging vulnerability and joy among attendees. The discussion highlights the importance of building safe spaces for people of color and how community activities evolved during the pandemic. Jodianne’s vision for future retreats and shared experiences showcases the strength found in togetherness.

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ANECDOTE

Origin Story of Noir Girls Plant

Jodianne created Noir Girls Plant from a low point, seeking joy and community around plants that nurture mental health.
She launched an event with yoga, meditation, goodie bags, and vulnerable connection, which naturally grew into a community.

ANECDOTE

The First Event Experience

Jodianne feared no one would come to her event, but it sold out quickly with 30-40 women attending.
She made attendees feel at home with homemade waffles and was deeply moved when her mom participated in yoga for the first time.

ANECDOTE

Community Impact Moments

At the event, attendees shared how plants saved their lives and brought connection to their families.
A white attendee’s curiosity about the Black-owned studio and her daughter's sincere engagement highlighted the community’s need.

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"I kept doing events after that first one. I guess that became my community. Even now saying it out loud, it is very strange. I never thought I could be someone that would be a part of like creating a community.” - Jodianne Beckford

Jodianne created Noire Girls Plant, “from a dark place of feeling numb.” At a low point, she found plants were givinging her joy. She searched on Eventbrite and asked around, trying to find a space with others to nerd out and talk about plants with.

When she couldn’t find the space she craved, she decided to create it herself. She stood up an event and designed it with all the elements she would have wanted--yoga, spoken word, meditation, a plant gift and goodie bag.

People left that first event with more than just goodie bags and time well spent. Attendees both had fun and saw each other, as people of color, being vulnerable. They asked, “when’s the next one?” and so Noire Girls Plants began--a community of growers, in aspects of health, prosperity and nature.

We talked with Jodianne about how she created her first event to explore her interests with others and what keeps her going through hard times.

Highlights, inspiration, & key learnings:

Origin story. How Jodianne found and gathered people around the healing power of plants.
The first event. Designing for the event for your first member--you.
Language. Jodianne’s use of nature as a metaphor for mental health.
Going virtual. Hikes, Mother’s Day virtual potting events, and shared activities at a social distance.
Dealing with adversity. Jodianne keeps showing up to do this work for “the little me,” to show her she doesn’t listen to the “no” voices in her head.

👋🏻Say hi to Jodianne and learn more about Noire Girls Plant. She also has a podcast, The E Project which explores the ‘Epiphany’ moments that lead individuals to do what they love.

✨Say hi to Marjorie Anderson, “Get Together” correspondent.

📄See the full transcript.

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