‘Reverse-gentrify the country’: how Black and Indigenous intentional communities are reclaiming land

The Guardian US News
by Melissa Hellmann
April 12, 2026
4 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Black and Indigenous intentional communities are reclaiming land across the U.S. to build self-sufficient ecovillages.

AI Summary

Black and Indigenous intentional communities are actively reclaiming land across the United States, establishing communal spaces rooted in care and tradition. These communities, spanning from California to Alabama, are developing self-sufficient ecovillages. For example, Zappa Montag and five others steward the 76-hectare Black to the Land ecovillage in Boonville, California, operating off-grid with solar power and well water. This movement represents an effort to "reverse-gentrify the country" by people of color building sustainable, land-based communities. These initiatives aim to foster independent living and cultural preservation outside conventional development.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Trump cut funding for gun violence prevention. California’s Latino communities are facing the fallout
Politics

Trump cut funding for gun violence prevention. California’s Latino communities are facing the fallout

<p>Non-profits are scaling back programs, raising fears of worsening violence in historically underserved communities</p><p>Sergio Diaz knows how to make people feel comfortable. It is a skill he learned from his years as a salesman selling shoes, cellphones and lawn care hardware in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/san-francisco">San Francisco Bay Area</a>. He is no longer a salesman, but relating to others is still crucial in Diaz’s work as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gun-control">gun violence prevention</a> specialist for the Oakland non-profit Youth Alive.</p><p>Every day, the 34-year-old goes to trauma centers, like Highland hospital in East Oakland, and meets with people who are recovering after being shot. He talks with them at their bedsides to figure out what they need to redirect them away from retaliation – whether it’s help applying for medical benefits or getting a driver’s license. Beyond his way with words, he says he is able to buil...

The Guardian US NewsApr 7
America's first billion-dollar climate fund sparks spending debate in Portland
Environment

America's first billion-dollar climate fund sparks spending debate in Portland

In 2018, voters in Portland, Oregon, approved a first-of-its-kind climate and justice fund aimed at investing in projects in historically marginalized communities. Since then, the fund has grown, and so has the debate over how that money should be spent. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Tipping Point.

PBS NewsHourApr 8
Ireland cuts tax on motor fuel as protests grip the country - politico.eu
Politics

Ireland cuts tax on motor fuel as protests grip the country - politico.eu

politico.euApr 12
New Zealand’s North Island braces for Cyclone Vaianu with thousands ordered to evacuate
Environment

New Zealand’s North Island braces for Cyclone Vaianu with thousands ordered to evacuate

<p>Vaianu, forecast to bring heavy rain and winds of up to 130 kmh (80 mph), is expected to hit on Sunday</p><p>Thousands of New Zealanders were ordered to evacuate their homes on Saturday as the country’s North Island braced for Cyclone Vaianu, which authorities warned could cause coastal flooding and landslides.</p><p>Vaianu, forecast to bring heavy rain and winds of up to 130 km/h (80 mp/h), was expected to hit on Sunday, then pass west of the remote Chatham Islands on Monday, the country’s weather forecaster said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/11/new-zealands-north-island-braces-for-cyclone-vaianu-with-thousands-ordered-to-evacuate">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian World NewsApr 11
How US communities have responded to plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers - AP News
Civil Rights

How US communities have responded to plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNRENudUpQZG5ZUnpwVTIxX1pBcktIdU53bVl1eW5PTjhock9GTFJPWWdQZU1EOTJ6bTdVdVpUSzJUdmU0dlhWU042MS1SY1NxRFFBWmFBY1J1UUoxdlNuNnN1ME5QVUNhLWs3dE1XTGhvZlE5NjhQZElra18zNFZmNi1NNTFodmpvZ0Rrd1VQYzhvTEdpYXNta2h4R0F4SFcyWHRYLUhER2QyWnZt?oc=5" target="_blank">How US communities have responded to plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 9
In post-WWII America, the Levittown house was a house for all — as long as you weren't Black - AP News
Civil Rights

In post-WWII America, the Levittown house was a house for all — as long as you weren't Black - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxPcTBrZ1dKYWdBbjZMQjZaT2l0QXNYc3pNaUw0N055QUpyb2FCRzhwXzFObVBoWmhZa0JHcDRlMEREUG9UQkJSei1ZWlIycUd2SWF5cW9XbTFjdTdBR3VYYXpHb1ZjYmh1RlE1V3RtbVFLMWZKOHZ6STlLTDlyOXI2SE0zWmVtd1BKR3ZDWi1Yc2Z2MGFqOFFzOGJUamE?oc=5" target="_blank">In post-WWII America, the Levittown house was a house for all — as long as you weren't Black</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 7
Read Next
Defending the truth: The fight for Black history in 2026
Civil Rights

Defending the truth: The fight for Black history in 2026

As the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary, a battle for the soul of U.S. history is unfolding, with efforts being made to whitewash the history of resistance against enslavement, prompting Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) to introduce a resolution in Congress to protect Black history museums and cultural institutions.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources