Are you ready to take your healing journey to the next level?
Please check out Malcolm's website
Meet Malcolm Ian Cross, a multidisciplinary artist in the realm of healing arts, known for his abstract painting expression, "AfroCosmic art." Malcolm has been on a 11-year journey of purification and initiation among many healers both local and abroad and has had the honor of participating in a month-long intensive in making the medicine. He has recently activated ongoing dieta study/ apprenticeship with Shipibo Maestras of Pucallpa, Peru, in preparation towards becoming a facilitator.
Join us for our Winter retreat with our new video series, Blackbird Talks. In this series, you'll have the opportunity to drop in with our facilitators and learn more about their unique perspectives on working with Mama Aya, and how it can transform your life's work.
In our exclusive Blackbird Talks interview, Malcolm will share his insights on how plant medicines are made, how working with them has transformed his personal and professional life, and how he works with them to channel art. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an experienced Black facilitator and gain valuable insights that will help you on your own personal and professional journey.
Join us for our 2023 Winter retreat, where you'll have the opportunity to work with Malcolm and other experienced facilitators to experience the transformative power of plant medicine and take your healing journey to the next level. Space is limited register now and reserve your spot!
Blackbird: A Safe space for the Black community to work with Plant Medicine
Blackbird Tribe is a powerful and transformative ceremony circle for Black change-makers, activists, healers, and people of the African diaspora. Created in 2019 by long-term student and Maestro of the medicine, Adorable Jasmine, and Tony Moss, Blackbird Tribe was founded as a safe space for the Black community to heal with master plant teachers during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Our mission is to provide opportunities for the Black community to access transformational retreat experiences with indigenous and local facilitators. Starting as a small healing circle in a living room in Oakland, CA, we have now grown to host 13 ceremonies with 8 different local and traveling Shamans/facilitators and served over 165 participants.
We are proud to be a non-denominational space that welcomes black-identified people from all love-based religious backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, generations, etc. Black people are not a monolith, and we create space for all expressions of blackness!
Join us on this journey of deep inner transformation, as we honor and celebrate our shared African and indigenous ancestry. Blackbird Tribe is dedicated to creating a powerful and safe space for the Black community to heal and grow together.
We are proud to have served the community since 2019, and even during the pandemics we have been able to continue offering powerful ceremonies and opportunities for healing. Sign up for our next ceremony today!
REGISTER HERE !
What's included in the retreat?
At Blackbird Tribe, we offer a comprehensive retreat experience that includes everything you need for deep healing and transformation. Here is what is included in our upcoming retreat:
Pre-ceremony preparation:
We will provide you with all the information and resources you need to prepare for the ceremony, including what to expect, how to prepare yourself mentally and physically, and any other necessary information.
Two full nights of healing work:
Our ceremonies are led by experienced facilitators who will guide you through powerful healing work using two different forms of the divine medicine.
Two Blackbird Circles:
Blackbird circles are a unique and transformative aspect of our retreats. These circles provide a space for participants to come together and share their experiences, support each other, and build community.
Two integration circles:
After the ceremony, you will have the opportunity to participate in integration circles. These circles are designed to help you process and integrate the experience, and will be led by experienced facilitators..
Delicious meals for each day:
We provide delicious and nutritious meals for each day of the retreat, to ensure that you are well-nourished and able to fully participate in the healing work.
Kambo medicine (at extra cost):
For an additional cost, you can also choose to participate in Kambo medicine, a powerful healing practice that has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of the Amazon.
Other ceremonial medicines::
Alongside the divine medicines used, we will be also offering other complementary ceremonial medicines that
Post-ceremony integration circle:
After the ceremony, you will have the opportunity to participate in a post-ceremony integration circle, which will be led by experienced facilitators.
We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and transformative retreat experience for the Black community. All the elements mentioned above are included in the retreat package and you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the healing process with all the necessary resources provided.
Malcolm Ian Cross is a multidisciplinary artist in the realm of healing arts, known for his abstract painting expression, "AfroCosmic art." He began his healing arts journey as a sports massage therapist and in 2008, began his studies with master facilitator Tony Moss and the Bird Tribe. Malcolm's intention is to create safe spaces for participants to complete deep healing work and leave better than they arrived. He has expanded his healing modalities with certifications in Reiki and Jorei, and has become a post-ceremony integration coach to support participants after their ceremonial experience. He has studied with various indigenous ceremony facilitators, including the Shipibo, Huni Kuin, and the yawanawa, and has been a member of the Santo Daime church for seven years. He facilitates private and circles in Los Angeles, San Diego, Hawaii, Santa Cruz, New York and Grass Valley, using a combination of traditional healing modalities and spiritual guidance to create an optimal ceremonial space for physical healing, spiritual upgrades, and energetic expansion.
Malcolm Ian Cross
Our Facilitation Team
Adorable is the co-founder and director of Blackbird Tribe, an organization that has been organizing healing courses, rituals, and retreats for over 15 years. Her work first began in food justice advocacy and teaching community nutrition, but she later incorporated yoga, energy healing, reiki, and indigenous ritual into her talks and classes. She has traveled to many sacred lands and studied with healers, but noticed the lack of representation for Black people in these spaces. In response, she began creating access to affordable and safe trauma-informed spaces for Black people to come together in the liberation and celebration of Black lives. Adorable has been on a 11 year journey of purification and initiation among healers, and has recently begun a dieta study/apprenticeship with Shipibo Maestras in Peru to become a facilitator.
Adorable Earth Angel
Kambo Frog Medicine Service
Cost: $100 for one session
Kambo session will be held Saturday morning with Gabrielle Blue
About Kambo: Kambo is the secretion of a large green tree frog known as Giant Green Monkey Tree Frog and comes from the rainforests of the Upper Amazon. This medicine is commonly known as the “vaccine of the forest.” It is most easily understood as a detoxifying purgative, immune-boosting medicine, and a powerful treatment for chronic pain and drug dependency.
Kambo is an excellent way to prepare the mind and body for the effects of ayahuasca. It is said the purging process experienced during Kambo can help reduce the amount of purging in the ayahuasca ceremonies. It also helps clear the energy and prepare the mind for the psychological effects of ayahuasca. The connection between Kambo and Ayahuasca is special – being that the spirit of ayahuasca is what, according to legend, brought about the knowledge of Kambo use and its incredible benefits. [-Kambo International]
Gabrielle Blue
Gabrielle is a wellness facilitator and a hapé and kambo practitioner and professional writer. She is also a Reiki Master. Her interest in health and wellness took root in 2009, when her father was diagnosed with stage-four cancer. She has witnessed how incredibly powerful the body and mind can be when they are well fed, calm, and working in harmony together. Healing is possible, if you believe it. Her passion is creating sacred space for others to heal and teaching best practices for selfcare: physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically and spiritually. Currently, she is apprenticing to become a plant-medicine facilitator.
The Backdrop for our healing weekend
Our retreat is located in Grass Valley at a beautiful large home, the perfect location for indoor and outdoor living and entertainment. The private estate is nestled in the Sierra foothills, just outside of Grass Valley and boasts extensive gardens and multiple patios. Relax and rejuvenate in the pool, hot tub, and infrared sauna. The magnificent kitchen and long dining table make this the perfect location for a dinner party. The retreat is just 15 minutes away from the Yuba River and downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City. It's also wheelchair accessible, adding to the comfort and accessibility of the place. Come and experience the magic of this place for yourself.
Addtional Info
Meals
Food is an important aspect of the retreat experience, especially when working with plant medicine. To ensure the best healing experience, we prepare healthy, nourishing, vegan, gluten-free meals throughout the retreat. Our meals are carefully crafted to provide the necessary energy and nutrients for the healing process, while also supporting the body's ability to detoxify and rejuvenate. We understand dietary restrictions and will do our best to accommodate individual needs.
Housing
Our retreat offers a comfortable and spacious housing option with plenty of room to spread out. We have two large living rooms with plenty of sofas and cushions, and sleeping in communal space is custom within this style of work. However, we are fortunate to have access to private sleep spaces in this retreat. There are a total of 9 beds available for an additional cost and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in reserving a bed, we will send out more information on availability to our registered participants.
Costs
The cost for our retreat is on a sliding scale, with different rates for returning Blackbirds and new participants. Returning Blackbirds can expect to pay between $325 to $425 per night, while new participants can expect to pay between $375 to $475 per night. We understand that not everyone's financial situation is the same, and we encourage you to relax, drop into your heart, and contribute financially at the level that best aligns with you. We also ask that you honor all the work, cost of medicine, space, food, and supplies that go into creating this retreat. We appreciate your investment in yourself and your support for this work.
Testimonials
The whole weekend was life changing but if I had to chose a favorite memory it was the beautiful feeling of jubilation that I felt when everyone danced & sang together while our final night was coming to a completion.
- Anthony M
"I had the honor to sit with Blackbirds in May 2022. It was my first time sitting with Mama Aya, and I had a lot of blockages that had to be cleared in order for me to be an empty vessel for the necessary healing & downloads to manifest. I purged, cried, meditated, prayed, sang, danced & just let my soul be free with no judgement or restrictions. It was a purely elevating journey, I am still integrating the ceremony daily."
-she Wolf
Gathering in an intentional space with melanated beings is healing within itself. Add to that, being warmly welcomed by folks that are committed to liberation, nature’s wisdom teachings, nourishing food… and you have a beautiful recipe for individual and collective growth. I highly recommend this experience for anyone feeling called, at whatever stage you find yourself in life.
- Sabah z
how to join our tribe
New Participant:
If you are new to Blackbird and haven't had a discovery chat, then fill out our in-take form and book time to drop in. Once invited to the tribe you can then register.
Returning Blackbird/ Invited:
If you've already had a discovery call with our team or have attended a Blackbird gathering already, then you have the green light to secure your spot now!
Questions? Email: Adorableearthangel@gmail.com