A new wave of feminist activism is taking shape with the initiative ‘Groundings With My Sisters’, an intersectional feminist collective dedicated to promoting gender equity, inclusion, and creative expression.

By harnessing the power of art and activism, coined as ‘artivism’, the organisation is building a movement that educates, documents, and empowers the next generation of activists.

Founded a year ago, the collective emerged from a social and economic justice training programme that inspired its participants to engage in advocacy, and bridge the gap between academia and grassroots activism.

The initiative is led by Morghan Phillips, project manager; Chinelle Miller, communications officer and film director; and Rica Richards, workshop coordinator and curriculum development officer, who are committed to fostering solidarity and intergenerational knowledge-sharing.

A significant aspect of the project is the documentation and archival work of past feminist and ‘artivist’ movements.

A central influence has been the Tambourine Army, a 2017 movement that utilised performance and visual art in its activism. Inspired by initiatives such as Sistren Theatre Collective, which engaged in parliamentary dramatisations, ‘Groundings With My Sisters’ is ensuring that the contributions of these movements remain accessible through film and archival projects.

The initiative is being funded by the European Union through the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS).

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Nancy Pinchas, executive director of the CVSS, said that “Empowering grassroots feminist movements is essential to achieving meaningful social change. We are proud to support ‘Groundings With My Sisters’ in their mission to bridge activism and cultural expression, ensuring that the voices of women and marginalised communities are heard and celebrated.”

The group’s commitment to combining activism with cultural expression was demonstrated in their first ‘artivism’ workshop last year, which gathered a diverse group of participants, ranging in age from seven to 70. The event encouraged discussions on creating a safer and more inclusive Jamaica, showcased a protest photography exhibit curated by one of the artists from the Tambourine Army March, and culminated in a community mural.

Phillips said that ‘Groundings With My Sisters’ also draws inspiration from Walter Rodney’s seminal work, ‘The Groundings With My Brothers‘, which underscores the importance of connecting academic with activism. Through this philosophy, the collective seeks to anchor activism in cultural identity and community-driven change.

Looking ahead, she said that the group has several initiatives planned, including a major event in May, an expansion of their ongoing documentary project, and the development of a curriculum designed to train emerging activists by distilling key strategies and avoiding common pitfalls. Additionally, their newly launched communications campaign on Instagram will serve as a platform for sharing project updates and relevant social justice issues.

“By merging creativity with activism, ‘Groundings With My Sisters’ is cultivating a legacy of feminist advocacy that uplifts both historical and contemporary movements, ensuring that the fight for equity and inclusion continues to resonate with future generations,” Phillips said.