Studio Earthside

Studio Earthside—formerly known as Wild Earth—is the community-rooted, social impact arm of my interior design practice. It was born from a 20-year journey as an educator, artist, and designer committed to creating spaces of care, beauty, and belonging.

Guided by Black feminist values and a belief in design as a tool for liberation, Studio Earthside implements free programs that nourish communities, foster connection, and empower BIPOC individuals to dismantle systemic barriers. From public food gatherings to healing arts initiatives, we reimagine what it means to meet basic needs—land, food, shelter, clean water, and spaces to gather—with dignity and joy.

Our initiatives, rooted primarily in Newark, are grounded in the belief that food and shelter are not privileges to be earned or bought—they are human rights. We design from a place of collective remembrance and intergenerational care, honoring the knowledge of our elders while creating spaces where future generations can thrive. Studio Earthside is committed to ensuring our communities have what they need not just to survive, but to live well—together.

We are currently seeking funding to support our monthly programs and expand our vision—developing community fridges, free dinners, mobile pop-ups, and a community sustenance farm. We are also building a replicable model of this work to share with communities across the country who are ready to do the same.

Studio Earthside envisions a future where all communities have access to nourishing food, inspiring spaces, and a deep sense of place. We welcome you to walk alongside us. A new website is on the way, where you’ll find stories of what we’ve built, what’s blossoming now, and what’s still to come.

Thank you for your curiosity and care!

The videos below showcase The Outdoor Living Room project, one of Studio Earthside’s many initiatives. This project creates space for community engagement through creative placemaking, featuring healing arts programming that inspires and invigorates Newark residents. The goal of the initiative is to bring people together, acknowledge the land we live on, unite through our shared histories, and celebrate a redefined sense of community. Launched in 2020 as a response to the pandemic, The Outdoor Living Room transitioned healing arts programming from indoor to outdoor spaces. It was funded in 2021 and 2022 by Newark Arts’ Creative Catalyst grant and in 2024 by the Neighbors Helping Neighbors LISC grant.

Below you will see the following videos:

Tune Inward, which offers a sacred space for personal reflection, listening, and attunement. This traditional sound bath experience is designed to harmonize and invite healing. In this video, Christina, a sound healer who collaborates with Wild Earth, is seen leading a sound bath for 150 people in Downtown Newark's Military Park.

A preview of Newark Artist, Purple, in the This Land Speaks oral storytelling interview series which features programming that focuses on acknowledging the Lenape land of Newark, exploring historical sites throughout the city, and examining how Newark residents connect with their neighborhoods, cultural backgrounds, and ancestral places of origin.

The third installment of You and I Got to Do For You and I, a grocery giveaway event hosted by Wild Earth Space in collaboration with The Yard and Mitch From Marketing. This event is dedicated to giving back to the creative community and surrounding areas through a fun and engaging get-together. A day filled with good vibes, positive energy, and free groceries. We recognize that grocery shopping can significantly impact our budgets, and we are here to help alleviate some of that stress by providing essential food necessities, FOR FREE! Interviewed by: The Glow to Grow Initiative

One of four events where Baby Backyard Boogie has delighted and entertained the little ones of Newark, this joyful, fun, and kinesthetic musical learning space for children of all ages is part of Wild Earth's Outdoor Living Room project, held in partnership with The Yard and led by Momma Merikara.