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August Theme:
Build Your Bridge
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Note from the Director
By Mika Marzette
As we enter the last month of summer, we continue to forge ahead with the sun's energy directly above emitting the most powerful rays of the season. The time is now to shine bright and share the fruits of your labor. Soon, it will be time to wind down and relax. For now, we are out, about, learning, and growing with principles guiding our path.
This summer we've been out at the ASCEND to Kemet Fests and our new ASCENDKemet Collective Certified Farmers' Market in City Heights (AKCCFM) engaging vendors, offering artisanal goods and fresh homemade foods. We've been creating opportunities to connect with like minds to those who care about sharing wisdom, abiding by principles, and respecting elders and the ancestors' wishes for our future. We've been visiting the parks and beaches, roller skating, doing Kemetic Yoga, hiking, sitting under, and climbing trees. In the garden, we've been nurturing the soil, watering the plants, and cultivating balance with the worms, bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and others. We are growing herbs, corn, greens, beans, sweet potatoes, squash, sunflowers, watermelon, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, to name a few. At night, we've been viewing the clearest skies, and viewing the new moon, as it waxes, we've been looking into telescopes with astronomers, admiring, remembering, and connecting with the brightest stars and constellations of the season. This summer, we have been building and holding it down. What is this summer for you and how have you been climbing the tree of life?
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Build Your Bridges
By Emma Forney, Copywriter Intern
What does family mean to you? Perhaps it's staying in touch with mom and dad, or spending time with your siblings that leave your door open or get in the shower just after you called dibs. Some of the people we call family, be it actual family or just friends or even strangers in our communities, can drive us nuts!
For better or for worse, however, these people are what make up your life, your beliefs, even your surroundings! It’s important to give yourself time to think about how your family has helped grow and shape you into who you are today!
At ASCENDtials, connection is one of our major values that we cherish alongside Oneness, communication, and connectivity with the mind, body, and spirit. Alongside the events we are hosting this month, it’s a good opportunity to consider the friends and family you have. Whether they’re near, or in another place, it’s important to think about these people and how they’ve impacted you.
With that being said, take this as an opportunity to reach back out to those you know! Siblings, parents, grandparents! Reconnect with those who have been disconnected! Even a “how are you?” goes a long way! Celebrate this life you live and the ones experiencing life around you!
Call mom! Call dad! Reach out to friends from the past, and make new ones for the future! Go out with them! Go talk! Go spark those ends and build again! August is a time to start afresh with new experiences and opportunities! Build your bridges!
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Family First and Forever
By Karina Oquendo, Advertising Copywriter Intern
August is a time for sun-soaked relaxation, summer fun, and back-to-school shopping–but that’s not all! Here at ASCENDtials, we believe it’s important to appreciate the people who make it all possible. Friends, family, chosen family, and local community are at the heart of every adventure, and we pride ourselves on creating programs, workshops, and events that bring you closer to the people you love most.
“Family” is the ASCENDtials theme for this month, and the Kemetic symbolism of our theme is an integral part of its meaning. The ‘ankh’ is the Egyptian symbol for life and family, and it guides us in appreciating those who have shared their lives with us in the past and present, as well as those we’ve yet to encounter in the future.
Recognizing the importance of those who have helped us, taught us, and even hurt us is essential to growing in peace and Oneness. A healthy mind is a grateful mind. Family and friends keep our souls balanced, and our spirits calm when we need it the most.
With the end of summer swiftly approaching, the responsibilities of work, school, and everyday life can crowd our thoughts, leaving room for little else. We become so preoccupied with our concerns that we forget to step back, look around, and see that our biggest support systems are right before us.
A ten-minute call with Mom, a quick visit at a friend’s workplace, a lunch date with Dad– take advantage of any opportunity to stay connected with those who’ve helped shape you into who you are today. Here at ASCENDtials, we are happy to offer the San Diego community moments where they can maintain these connections with family, friends, and neighbors.
With our Beach and Highway Cleanups, Build My Spirit After-School Programs, ASCEND to Kemet Fests, and ASCENDKemet Collective Certified Farmers’ Markets, we have many opportunities for you and your family to grow in love, mindfulness, and Oneness.
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It’s August! Come out and join us this month for our highway cleanups, ASCEND to Kemet Fest, ASCENDKemet Collective Certified Farmers' Market, a garden workshop, or a night hike. These activities are great for your well-being and community building! Keep reading for more information and don’t miss out!
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Come explore the beach with us!
We are thrilled to invite you to our "Choose Your Own Adventure" Summer Learning Program at the beautiful Cardiff (Seaside) State Beach on Friday, August 2! This program is perfect for students eager to explore and learn about the wonders of our coastal environment
As a part of our Build My Spirit program, we will be providing third to fifth graders with the opportunity to take a trip to a local beach to learn about the its ecosystem and the importance of protecting all living things. We will also be hosting a Kemetic Yoga session during the excursion!
This event will be held on Friday, August 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cardiff (Seaside) State Beach. We hope to see you there!
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Embark on a journey of self-discovery through the ancient practice of Kemetic Yoga!
Kemetic Yoga is an ancient African Yoga art form that promotes African philosophy and practices that originated from the land of Kemet, it offers a unique path to physical and spiritual transformation. Practitioners align their bodies and minds, cultivating strength, flexibility, and a deep connection to their inner divinity. Join us for a session from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday this August at the Silver Strand Beach. We will meet at lot 2, in front of the parking area. Come connect with your inner self!
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Join us as we gaze upon the night sky!
This experiential session we hold monthly explores the night sky and the celestial events that connect us to the concept of a “universe” so that we gain a better understanding of our place in it. This helps us establish a better connection with all that is below, so that we are more inclined to express our appreciation and protect and preserve what it does for us. This experience also allows for physical, mental, and spiritual wellness through brisk walking, hiking, exploring the land, and viewing animals and the night sky.
Join us on Saturday, August 10, at 8:00 p.m. (PDT) at 12620 Wildcat Canyon Rd. in Lakeside, where a group of galaxy lovers will gather to explore the night sky together.
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Garden Workshop with Kenyatta!
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Join us as we discover the secrets to a thriving garden!
The summer garden workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make the most of your garden during the hottest months. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner, there's something for everyone. Join us for the garden workshop conducted by Kenyatta Parker on August 24, at the Sweetwater Community Garden, that focuses on sustainable gardening practices.
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Community Partnerships in our Programming
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Environmental and Nature Programs
Highway cleanups and beach cleanups are crucial endeavors for maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Highway cleanups allow groups or individuals to take responsibility for cleaning specific stretches of highway. This helps remove litter and improve roadside aesthetics. Through programs like Adopt-A-Highway, ASCENDtials has adopted nine highways of San Diego for the cleanup mission. Beach cleanups function similarly, enabling groups to take care of designated areas of Black’s Beach and Silver Strand Beach. This protects marine life, enhances the beach experience for visitors, all the while preventing plastic pollution from entering the ocean. The Garden Project promotes eco-friendly gardening methods that benefit both your produce and the environment. This initiative is a program that promotes sustainable gardening practices and the joys of connecting with nature. Through the Garden Workshop by Kenyatta Parker, we encourage families to cultivate their own pesticide-free fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plants.
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Legal Aid Program
This past July, we collaborated with Sharyna Scott on setting up and promoting the newest workshop about Trusts and Probate Administration. She presented on the topic as a series of workshops dedicated to understanding and breaking down generational wealth as a part of estate planning and saving for the future.
Our planning for our next Generational Wealth Workshop is in progress! We are tentatively looking at prospective dates in September.
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Business and Development Team Updates
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Join us as we promote Black-owned businesses!
ASCENDtials is hosting the ASCENDKemet Collective Farmers' Market every Sunday. This market provides an excellent opportunity for farmers to showcase their products and connect with the community. The next event is on August 4, 2024, at 4325 Wightman St., San Diego, CA 92105, from 10 AM to 2 PM. The current focus is on recruiting more farmers for the market. Although this is a farmers' market, our vendors are not limited to farmers!
Click the link below for more information!
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After a successful initial market, we are hosting the ASCEND to Kemet Fest monthly until the end of summer. The next event is on August 25, 2024. This festival aims to foster community among the African diaspora and share wisdom. Efforts are concentrated on strengthening relationships with existing stakeholders and promoting the fest to attract new participants.
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Join us as we celebrate our heritage!
We are so grateful to have a community partnership with the Corsair family and we are so happy to work with them on putting together these monthly fests for the community! Lisa Corsair is a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent. She is a cultural ambassador and community activist bringing communities together through art, music, and dance for the past 15 years, beginning in New York and now in San Diego. Hariel Corsair was an aerospace engineer for 19 years. He is now helping people plan and achieve their financial goals! They support the community with music, dance, and culture!
We are still on the hunt for vendors of all sorts to be featured at our Kemet Fest!
If you are interested in becoming a vendor please fill out the application below and email: devfundteam@ascendtials.org
Please use the link below for more information and to sign up to attend our fest!
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Experiential and Service Learning Program
We are enhancing partnerships with colleges and collaborating with professors to expand our reach and increase student awareness of our Service-Learning program. If you are a current university student, gain valuable life skills with us!
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Join us as we give back to our community!
If you are interested in becoming an intern or volunteer in our Service Learning program, or if you want to find more information, please follow the link below!
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Join us in giving back to nature and our underwater friends!
Did you know Black's Beach is named after its melanin-rich black sand? It's also a spectacular real-life postcard with stunning views and refreshing sea breezes. We've made it our mission to keep this spot spick-and-span the first Saturday of every month!
When you arrive at this Climate Cares Beach Cleanup, make your way down the cliff, and don't be taken aback if you spot some sunbathers and paragliders living their best lives au naturel. This is your chance to get some exercise; reset with the crisp, cold waters; soak in the much-needed fresh air; and of course, take a moment to reflect on your environmental footprint.
So grab a buddy, and let's clean up our local beach together! ASCENDtials is on the case from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. (PDT) on the first Saturday of every month. Join us on August 3, or save the date for a future month! Meet us near the Gliderport parking lot parameter on the way to the cliffs!
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Join us as we make waves for a cleaner, happier beach!
By taking part in any Climate Cares Beach Cleanup event, you not only help our coastline and the amazing marine life that calls it home, but you also earn a heartfelt letter of appreciation for good vibes that last the entire day.
ASCENDtials is leading the charge to clean Silver Strand Beach from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. (PDT) on the second Saturday of each month. August 10 is our next cleanup date! Find us at Parking Lot 2 at the Cays Park exit for the Silver Strand Beach in Coronado.
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Join us as we clean our adopted highway!
ASCENDtials has adopted a portion of several highways that we clean every month. We will meet from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. (PDT) on Sunday, August 4 in front of the 2688 E. Mission Bay Dr. parking lot, where all volunteers will receive a brief orientation before the cleanup begins!
Cleanups will be held along the Highway 5 South on-and off-ramps at the Clairemont exits. Then, when we're done, let's have lunch after the event! Stick around and hang out with us!
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Join us as we make a difference in our community!
Come lend a hand in sprucing up Highway 15 and taking care of our community! We will meet at 4:15 p.m. (PDT) on Sunday, August 11. The cleanup will take place along Highway 15 Northbound, focusing on 0.1-mile stretch. Volunteers will be working along the sidewalk adjacent to the highway.
All equipment will be provided, so all you have to do is show up and be ready to help out!
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Join us as we care for another section of our adopted highway!
ASCENDtials is responsible for caring for many of the crucial highways throughout the San Diego area! Come join us on Sunday, August 11, from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. (PDT) to clean up a stretch of Highway 805 North! We will meet at 2300 Sweetwater Rd. in National City. We can't wait to see you there!
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Join us as we care for the nature surrounding Route 75!
Coronado Route 75 north and southbound near the famous Coronado Hotel is an important part of our highway cleanup rotation! Come lend a hand in sprucing up Route 75 and taking care of our community. We will meet from 9:15 to 11:00 a.m. (PDT) on Saturday, August 17.
Plan to meet in front of 1701 Strandway at the Bluewater Grill Boathouse parking lot at 9:15 a.m. (PDT). Sign up with the link below to receive more information.
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Join us as we clean I-5 Poinsettia Ln and La Costa Highway!
If you're looking for a chance to give back to your environment, look no further than I-5 Poinsettia Ln and La Costa Highway. Come out on Sunday, August 18 from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. to assist us in cleaning this beautiful strip of land.
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Join us as we clean the Quarry/Elketon highway!
Nestled near Spring Valley, just a stone's throw from the Swap Meet, lies a highway that needs your love and care! We're calling on you to join us in cleaning up our adopted Highway 125.
Come lend a hand on Saturday, August 24, from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. (PDT). We'll be meeting at the entrance to the ramp near Quarry Self Storage. We can't wait to see you!
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Join us as we clean a section of Highway 94E & W!
These two highways need your love and attention! ASCENDtials cares for a section of this highway on the fourth Sunday of every month. Come join us on the corner of the highway ramp entrance (next to the school) on Sunday, August 25, from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. (PDT).
Come lend a hand and participate with other community members to clean up an important part of the landscape. We can't wait to see you!
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Join us as we care for our beautiful adopted highway!
Come lend a hand in sprucing up Highway 5 North on the last Friday of each month! We will meet on Friday, July 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (PDT). We will meet in the Autozone parking lot at 5:00 p.m. All volunteers will receive a brief orientation before the cleanup begins!
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Join the ASCENDtials Team!
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Golden Volunteers gain access to all upcoming cleanup events. Sign up now!
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If you share ASCENDtials' principles and want to show your support, make a tax-deductible gift by clicking on the button below. Donations can be made yearly, monthly, or as a one-time contribution. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.
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About ASCENDtials
Celebrating 10 years in 2024, ASCENDtials enhances critical consciousness by offering intelligent, all-encompassing educational tools, materials, and training courses that are preventative, prepare, inculcate, and reinforce a greater sense of self and community, a Oneness that increases capacity, and environmental care.
This newsletter is a collaborative effort by ASCENDtials' volunteers and interns. Assembled by the Publishing team. Thank you to all our contributors!
Nonprofit 501(c)(3)
Tax ID:47-2451577
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