Reclamation Day to Challenge US History Narratives in Brooklyn

A powerful cultural gathering is slated for Brooklyn, New York, on June 20, 2026, designed to directly confront traditional narratives surrounding American history. Dubbed "Reclamation Day: A Reunion of Hope," the event is being spearheaded by the BLIS (Black Liberation Indigenous Sovereignty) Collective, co-founded and led by Trevor Smith.

This immersive exhibition and community gathering is positioned as an urgent response to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Organizers aim to blend art, performance, and movement-building to challenge existing historical perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of racial equity and cross-movement solidarity. Reports indicate the event will unfold at 25 Kent Ave, drawing an anticipated 700 to 1,000 attendees.

The day's programming is structured around three distinct experiential zones: Reclaim, Repair, and Reimagine. The "Reclaim" zone will explore what communities have preserved and passed down despite historical adversities like colonization, slavery, erasure, and capitalism. The "Repair" zone will delve into maintaining relationships amidst ongoing and unresolved harms, while the "Reimagine" zone is set to inspire reflection on the nation's future over the next 250 years. Attendees can expect a diverse array of activities, including art installations, DJ sets, shared meals, short films, live performances, participatory murals, and interactive spaces, all centered on critical themes of reparations, sovereignty, and liberation.

Award-winning artist, actor, and Brooklyn native Joey Bada$$ is confirmed to headline the closing performance. The artist publicly stated his motivation for participating, noting, "A big part of being an artist is holding up the mirror for society to see itself. I've always seen my music and platform as a tool to promote social and political consciousness and bring light to urgent issues directly impacting Black and other marginalized people." Other notable participants include rising Native American artist and BLIS Collective member Mato Wayuhi, who will perform an opening set. Remarks are expected from Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians; Rev. Jacqui Lewis of Middle Church; and Nkechi Taifa of the Reparations Education Project. The event will also feature an immersive installation by journalist and podcaster Rebecca Nagle, an AR monument by Kinfolk Tech, a "Social Dream Space" facilitated by Intelligent Mischief, and participatory mural work.

Trevor Smith, a writer, researcher, and strategist, has dedicated his career to issues of racial and wealth inequality, reparations, and narrative change. Before co-founding the BLIS Collective, Smith served as the Director of Narrative Change at Liberation Ventures, where he launched the Reparations Narrative Lab, a space dedicated to building narrative power within the reparations movement. His extensive professional background includes roles at organizations such as the Surdna Foundation, the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and M+R Strategic Services. Smith, who holds a BA in Journalism from American University and an MPA from New York University, currently resides in Lenapehoking, known today as New York City.

The BLIS Collective, established in 2022, represents Black Liberation-Indigenous Sovereignty. It functions as a cross-movement Solidarity & Action Hub, focused on braiding narratives and growing movements to achieve policy changes and cultural shifts. Smith co-founded the collective with Savannah Romero, an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, after recognizing a perceived disconnect between the Black land movement for reparations and the Indigenous land movement for Land Back, despite their shared objectives of repairing harms stemming from colonization and the transatlantic slave trade. The collective's mission is to "spark radical collaboration and narrative alignment between and within Black, Indigenous, and transformative social movements to repair, decolonize, and reshape culture."

With approximately 45 to 46 member organizations and individuals, the BLIS Collective emphasizes building solidarity across movements to influence culture, viewing cultural change as a cornerstone for sustainable policy and systems change. In January 2025, the collective released its inaugural report, "Fabric of Repair: The Impact of Braiding Narratives of Reparations and Land Back on Black and Indigenous Audiences." This study indicated that while Black and Indigenous communities often prioritize their distinct concerns, they are more inclined to support each other's reparative efforts when adequately informed. Other key members of the BLIS Collective include Savannah Romero, who serves as Co-founder and Deputy Director, and is also the Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy at Tahoma Peak Solutions, having previously worked at IllumiNative. Camilla Griffiths is the Director of Applied Narrative Research, bringing expertise as a Rwandan-American behavioral science researcher. Jamal Taylor is the Membership Insights and Collaboration Strategist, focusing on building collective power through data-informed analysis.

"Reclamation Day: A Reunion of Hope" is more than just an event; it is a deliberate effort to reshape public discourse and foster solidarity across Black and Indigenous communities. By bringing together artists, activists, and thought leaders, the BLIS Collective aims to not only highlight historical injustices but also to collectively envision a more equitable future. This Brooklyn gathering serves as a critical platform for advancing the intertwined goals of reparations and Indigenous sovereignty, pushing for a national conversation that is both inclusive and transformative as the country approaches a significant historical milestone.