Black Butterfly - First Outdoor Gathering 🌿

Black Butterfly: First Outdoor Gathering
For those who are Black or Indigenous, disabled, and neurodivergent

Hi and welcome!

On August 23, we’ll be hosting the very first gathering for Black Butterfly—a space created specifically for those who are Black or Indigenous, disabled, neurodivergent—and who love nature.

This is a bat-call for those who feel aligned to come together and explore ways to be in community that feel good for us. This is a space for finding common ground and letting things unfold naturally.

For this first event, we’ll keep things simple: a few low-key nature activities and time to get to know each other (we got this). The focus is on just being—being outside, and gathering in a spirit of unity and Love.

If you’d like to join us, I’d love to hear from you.
If you have any accessibility, mobility, sensory, or communication needs that would help you feel supported in an outdoor space, feel free to message me by August 9. I’ll use what’s shared to help choose a location in or around Howard County that reflects those needs.

No worries if you don’t have anything to share— you're invited as you are. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions or just to say hi.

Updated Quick Directions – Black Butterfly Outdoor Gathering
📍 Lake Kittamaqundi (Columbia Lakefront), Columbia, MD

• Set GPS to: 10211 Wincopin Circle — next to the LAK Hotel.
• Park in the garage in front of 10211 (accessible parking available). If the garage is full, there is a bit of street parking as well as an additional lot and garage just before this one on Wincopin Circle. There's also parking near Whole Foods, and at the far side of LAK Hotel.
• Once you exit the garage, go to the right side of the 10211 building. You’ll see a staircase and an access ramp — both lead you down toward the restaurant Sushi Sono.
• From Sushi Sono, facing the lake:

1. Take the downhill path to your left.
2. At the fork, veer right and stay close to the water.

• Shortly after the fork, you’ll see on your right a set of benches under a canopy of trees. This is where we’ll meet. Look for a balloon or other marker to identify our group.

Notes: It's about a 10* minute walk from Sushi Sono to the spot at a 'moderate' pace. This spot is slightly more secluded from the main area of the lake. The benches in this area do not have back support - you're welcome to bring a camping chair or cushion for comfort. The benches are positioned in a low grass area so please plan accordingly and feel free to bring your sun hat, bug spray or anything else that feels supportive.

Looking forward to connecting and spending time together in nature!

Bless.