As part of the graduation events of the MA City Design and MA Environmental Architecture at the School of Architecture, RCA, we are immensely proud to host Kali Akuno from Cooperation Jackson, whose work is a unique reference to the research being developed across both programmes and to the School of Architecture at large. In the words of Kali Akuno, “Cooperation Jackson is a vehicle specifically created to advance the development of the solidarity economy in Jackson Mississippi, to advance the struggle for economic democracy as a prelude towards the democratic transition to eco-socialism”.

Kali Akuno is a co-founder and co-director of Cooperation Jackson and co-author with Ajamu Nangwaya  of Jackson Rising: The Struggle for Economic Democracy and Self-Determination in Jackson, Mississippi. Kali served as the Director of Special Projects and External Funding in the Mayoral Administration of the late Chokwe Lumumba of Jackson, MS. His focus in this role was supporting cooperative development, the introduction of eco-friendly and carbon reduction methods of operation, and the promotion of human rights and international relations for the city. Kali also served as the Co-Director of the US Human Rights Network, the Executive Director of the Peoples' Hurricane Relief Fund (PHRF) based in New Orleans, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. And was a co-founder of the School of Social Justice and Community Development (SSJCD), a public school serving the academic needs of low-income African American and Latino communities in Oakland, California.

Please note: Your registration confirmation email will contain the link to the Zoom webinar and a link to reading materials on Cooperation Jackson.

This event is followed by Earthseed #03 - 'The Cleaner Your Whole House Will Be' with Jessika Kharzik.

Earthseeds

This event is part of Earthseeds - an exploration and celebration of the work of the City Design and Environmental Architecture graduate class of 2020 at the School of Architecture, Royal College of Art.

Spanning three days, Earthseeds is led by the student community from both graduating cohorts, and features talks, conversations, performances and group discussions, focusing on issues of care, the environment, technology, climate and social justice.

The title, Earthseed, is in reference to Octavia Butler’s book Parable of the Sower. To sow, to care, to adapt, to persist in the face of adversity and to change: a story that speaks to the uniqueness of this year and to students’ capacity for adaptation and creativity - even in the most difficult circumstances.

This is our first graduation show to take place online - the RCA2020 platform provides a profile of the work of each graduate, and their work is showcased using a range of dynamic formats.

Delve into their work and explore the platform by searching graduate names or browsing by Programme or exploring topical themes told through stories.

All Earthseeds events are listed on the RCA website.

Discover more

• Find out more about the MA Environmental Architecture programme at the Royal College of Art
• Find out more about the MA City Design programme at the Royal College of Art
• Follow MA Environmental Architecture on Instagram
• Follow MA Environmental Architecture on Twitter
• Follow MA City Design on Instagram

Image of Kali Akuno, courtesy of Cooperation Jackson