Why the clearing ground?
One in four Black girls will experience sexual violence before the age of 18, meaning many Black students are already survivors before entering college. eleven24 works to fill the gaps that conventional prevention education often miss by centering young, Black people. The Clearing Ground serves to foster a connection and sense of belonging for Black students on predominately white campuses, where they may not usually feel connected to prevention initiatives.
The goals of The Clearing Ground are simple:
Support campuses with developing intersectional programs and offering healing spaces for Black students in an effort to engage them in sexual violence prevention.
Bridge the gap between Black students and sexual violence resources at predominately white institutions (PWI).
Welcome Black students into a space where they can freely explore what their idea of liberation looks like for the community & feel empowered knowing they have a place within prevention as young people.
The story of the clearing ground
The Clearing Ground was created in 2020, during the start of eleven24s partnership with Northern Kentucky University’s Norse Violence Prevention Center (NVP), & the Office of African American Student Initiatives (AASI). This program was developed using Black feminist thought principles, with the intent to help bridge the gap between Black students and violence prevention initiatives by centering dialogue, experiences, accountability, and care.
Our Clearing Ground roundtables are radical, grassroots, student centered, and a space to safely engage in healing practices.
Interested in bringing The Clearing Ground to your campus? Get in touch with us.