CAMP 1 ROOTZ mission...
Is to offer our children, families, and communities a holistic, loving and nurturing environment that fosters self-determination, self-sufficiency and sustainability through adventure, learning and building skillz. Camp 1 Rootz seeks to establish sustainable communities built from the ground up through hands on contributions from our campers and participating community.
Our focus is the development of body, mind, heart and spirit. Our program includes classes on food and nutrition, arts and culture, agriculture, building trades and survival skills. The children also participate in physical fitness, martial arts, healing arts and various recreational activities.
The People
 Sanovia MuhammadYoga Instructor / Nurse Mama Sanovia is a retired registered nurse with 18 years of experience as a camp coordinator. She is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor. She is a mother of six, a grandmother of 7, a performance artist, and a published author and poet. Mama Sanovia’s passion is children and women, and she is dedicated to leaving a legacy for them! |  Calandra DavisCalandra is a Black queer feminist organizer from rural Mississippi. Rooted in the Black radical tradition, she is committed to building sustainable communities through bottom-up organizing. As a birth assistant and student midwife, Calandra brings an ancestral, pleasure-centered approach to birth, honoring traditional midwives and the wisdom and power of birthing people. Through her work with Camp 1 Rootz, she connects land, health, liberation, and pleasure with everyday people for liberation. |  Ishmael MuhammadCamp Counselor / Activities Coordinator Ishmael has over 20 years of camp counseling experience and 15 years in camp activity coordination. He worked as an organizer for Hurricane Katrina relief for three years and supported immediate relief following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Ishmael is a licensed attorney and Know Your Rights advocate. |
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 AmerahI’m Amerah, a social worker and advocate for women and girls. I am a vital voice in the Camp leadership. I started as a camper and now I help with our youth organizing in Port Gibson and West Jackson. I use my professional social work background to lead our social media presence, inform our grassroots door-knocking, advise our violence interruption committee, and develop our gender-based violence program. As a proud bi-sexual woman, I'm passionate about creating safe spaces to heal and transform |  Atiba FreerMama Atiba has worked in education for nearly fifty years. She came to camping through the Council of Independent Black Institutions (CB). She is the founder of Kindezi Consulting. She has previously worked with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and New African Scouts, not only educating our children but preparing our children politically. Mama Atiba is committed to having our own land to train children to live in unison with nature and each other through a consensus based governing structure. |  ZindzhiMy name is Zindzhi and I am a youth organizer & social media manager for our camp. Dedicated to community wellness, as much as my own, I find great fulfillment in extending guidance and healing our youth of color. Walking alongside children as they navigate the obstacles of camp life and beyond, and grow through them, has always been a beautiful experience! My commitment to the safety, care, joy, and growth of campers comes from the understanding that our youth are our future. Providing guidance |
 Aziza YoungAziza is community gardener, advocate for the elderly, a poet, and a mother of 3, who has tirelessly fought to give her a children a life full of joy and security in spite of facing many obstacles and years of abuse. She’s currently incarcerated in Raymond, MS but has continued her organizing and advocacy work inside the cages. She is a pillar of our gender-justice work, reminding us that survivors should not be criminalized. |  Kenyatta FlemingKenyatta has been involved with camp since its founding in 2010, where he’s served as a counselor. His interests include agriculture, health, and entrepreneurship. He’s committed to sharing knowledge and helping the community become as independent and self-sufficient as possible. Kenyatta’s background is in education and entrepreneurship, including developing a global grocery that serves Afrikan people at home and abroad. |
The Land
We are so thankful to finally have our Camp on our Own Black Land! Let us collectively create a learning environment our children will thrive in. Come be a part of building our Camp from the Ground Up. We are looking for Builders, Designers, Counselors, Kitchen Staff, Artists, Teachers, Nurses, etc..
Camp Fires, Stories
& Smores
Sustainable Living
Organic Foods Grown On The Land
Archery & Arms Training
15 Acres of Land & Growing
“I participated in these camps as a child and I must say, these are some of the most memorable experiences of my childhood.”
~Omari Menders
