name: reclamation day: a reunion of hope

in collaboration with: BLIS Collective

services provided: spatial design

location: vesper events, new york, ny

year: 2026

reclamation day: a reunion of hope was an immersive cultural gathering and community exhibition on juneteenth that convened over 2,000 people from across the country ahead of the america’s 250th anniversary. put on by BLIS collective — black liberation, indigenous sovereignty— the activation championed black and indigenous perspectives on american history, hosting activations and artworks from over 50 black and indigenous artists and organizations. BLIS brought me on as spatial designer to translate their reunion framework of reclaim, repair, and reimagine into a cohesive, multizone experience encompassing galleries, installations, interactive environments, live music, and audience circulation—coordinating with all artists to realize their work in the space.

my spatial concept drew from the lefferts historic house. once owned by the wealthiest and largest slave- owning family in brooklyn (formerly lenape land), the lefferts historic house is now a living museum dedicated to the “resistance and resilience of the indigenous people of lenapehoking, whose unceded lands the house rests upon, and the africans enslaved by the lefferts family.”

spatial elements explored the aesthetics of reconciling america’s history of genocide and enslavement with parallel stories of resistance, triumph and hope for the future. black and lenape art & motifs led the visual language with smatterings of dutch colonial inspired furniture lurking in the background. clusters of ‘living rooms’ offered spaces for reprieve, conversation and contemplation featuring furniture that integrated natural materials with a modern design language.