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Summer 2025 - Notes from Nzingha & opportunities from Community
Nzingha Hazelton
August 23, 2025
Table of Contents
Audio of this Letter
Peace
Just a couple of days one of my favorite cousins’ celebrated a new turn around the sun: the one, the only, Makeba.
As a cousin, Makeba urges and reminds us to home in on the strength of black family and community.
As a sister, she invites me to nurture friendship as a vital part of our family and community structures.
As an artist, I am encouraged by her generosity, concern for justice, and love.
Makeba’s designs were recently featured by the custom clothing company Philaprint, and I couldn’t be prouder
But more than her art, I think often about the patience and care she embodies. Patience is a value I am constantly being reminded to practice.
Earlier this week, for example, I went to get lab work done. I’d already been waiting for two hours, when the tech came out and said there were still five people ahead of me. I nearly stood up to leave.
But then I remembered: patience.
Patience isn’t just waiting—it’s a skill, a practice, a value we uphold.
So I sat back down, rested my head in my hands, and even began to drift off. Just then, they called my name. That day, patience thanked me right back.
Speaking of patience and care—we are beginning to collect birth stories and memories of my mother, the midwife-activist, Mama Nonkululeko Tyehemba.
If you would like to contribute, please use this link to upload an audio, written, or video reflection. Share from the heart.
It might be about something she said, how she made you feel, how she encouraged you, or what she meant in your life.
We’ll be gathering these stories into a media and presentation project. Submissions are open until September 22, and I hope you’ll share this invitation with others who want to honor her legacy.
Patience though also teaches us something I learn most from Mama Kimberley Richards, who leads the People’s Institute of Survival and Beyond. Mama Kim teaches us the art of slowing down—of marinating in the moment, appreciating each other, honoring our ties, and refusing to be rushed by a world that wants us to abandon true connection.
May we all move with intention and deliberation, choosing presence over hurry.
I am in good spirits and grateful, pacing myself, staying healthy…making habichuelas rosadas and frying plantains.
In our witnessing, may we sustain compassion.
Memory & Story Project for Midwife Activist Mama Nonkululeko: Submit today
Shop body by ululeko
Our shop is open! Head over to ululeko.com to pick up natural and organic body, creme, hair products.
 Highlights:
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Events & Opportunities of Interest
Happening today!
Sign and join the petition to honor Granny Midwives with a US Postal Stamp
Please join us in making this dream a reality. May that it be that we honor our life-catchers with all the honors they deserve!
Recent Photos
Panorama shot of a portion of Chicano Park, Barrio Logan, San Diego
 Zing pictured on the sands of Ocean Beach, San Diego |  Aunt Cory! |
Bear Zing and Bear John, also at Ocean Beach
I made my first Olive Oil Rosemary Cake
A few of the youth that myself and artists Adriel Michelle & Ching-I connected with as part of our Laundromat Project Fellowship. Sitting here on the steps of Magnolia Tree Earth Center.
Shop body by ululeko
Our shop is open! Head over to ululeko.com to pick up natural and organic body, creme, hair products.
We’re also sharing complimentary body butters and products to elders in our lives. If you know of an elder that would appreciate a gift of body butter, please reach out to Nzingha and let us know.
No. 49 | The sea of mine eyes: A Pantoum
And we broke out in joy,
And we broke out in tears.
And we broke out in glee,
And we broke out our fears.
And we broke out in tears,
For an unknown freedom,
And we broke out our fears.
For a myriad of reasons.
For an unknown freedom,
That made its way to us.
For a myriad of reasons,
letting our cries draw forth.
That made its way to us,
Skies shook in thunder, speckled.
Letting our cries draw forth.
Specks fracture us, spectacular.
Skies shook in thunder, speckled.
Aware that an earthly lie salivated the ground below,
Specks fracture us, spectacular.
The sky stirring the moon, stirring the stars, the sea,
Aware that an earthly lie salivated the ground below.
Watching God were we.
The sky stirring the moon, stirring the stars, the sea.
The sea of mine eyes, the stars of mine soul, the moon of mine heart were watching god were we.
Watching God were we.
Were? When, where did I go wrong?
The sea of mine eyes, the stars of mine soul, the moon of mine heart were watching god were we.
Done battalion go left.
Were? When, where did I go wrong?
And we broke out in joy,
Done battalion go left.
And we broke out in glee.
- Nzingha Nomsa Taiwo Tyehemba Hazelton
