We have wrapped up the Basandja Free Congo Tour, which began during Climate Week in September. We culminated the Tour in Toronto, Canada with the screening of the film Mikuba by Petna Ndaliko. During the Tour, we received incredible support from supporters in our network. From powerful film screenings and uplifting musical performances, to insightful discussions, this tour has brought together communities, amplified the voices of the frontline communities from the Congo , and inspired collective action.

New York City, NY
The tour began on September 20th in New York City during Climate Week, where we screened documentaries that highlighted Congo’s environmental significance in combating the climate emergency and its vital role in facilitating a “green/clean” energy transition. The Delegation returned to New York on October 18th and 19th for Congo in Harlem, which featured the screening of Katasumbika by Petna Ndaliko.

Washington, DC
The DC events at Fellowship Baptist Church, Sankofa Videos and Books and BloomBars provided the delegation an opportunity to engage in rich exchanges with the local community. The members of the delegation also had the opportunity to share policy prescriptions with Washington, DC policy makers regarding the role of the Congo Basin in combating the climate crisis and the importance of Congo’s critical minerals in facilitating a “green/clean” energy transition during a presentation on Capitol Hill at the United Methodist Church. The audience was captivated by stories shared by Samuel Yagase Bayombe, an Indigenous leader, who spoke passionately about protecting the rainforest and advocating for sustainable development.

Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta visit engaged mainly universities and faith institutions. The Delegation visited four universities, highlighted by a presentation and reception at Morehouse College. They also presented at four faith institutions and screened one of the films at For Keeps book store on famed Auburn Avenue.

Boston, MA
The Boston stop was highlighted by key meetings at Harvard University, and an engaging presentation and exchange at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a community solidarity event with the Filipino community at Arts Connect International.

San Francisco & Oakland, CA
The Bay Area welcomed us with open arms. At UC San Francisco, we shared the critical role that Indigenous wisdom plays in addressing the climate crisis. In Oakland, filmmaker Petna Ndaliko Katondolo led an engaging Q&A session after a film screening, connecting attendees to the heart of the Congolese experience and the ongoing challenges faced by mining communities. Students and faculty at Berkeley, The University of San Francisco, Stanford and San Francisco State hosted the delegation with a series of forums and film screenings. Students at Stanford provided the opportunity for the delegation to showcase the photo display, teach photography workshops, engage with medical students and faculty, and discuss critical minerals and sustainable energy division of the university.

Chicago, IL
Trinity United Church of Christ hosted the delegation for a town hall meeting that appealed for peace and justice in the Congo. The Town Hall was followed by a Sunday service with pastor Otis Moss, III where the delegates were special guests. The visit to Chicago is part of a larger effort to mobilize faith leaders globally to make a moral call for peace and justice for the Congolese people.

Los Angeles, CA
In LA, our fundraising event at Human Resources LA featured a blend of art, discussion, and activism. The audience was moved by the photo display depicting the resilience of displaced women from the east of Congo. The evening ended with a fundraiser that exceeded our expectations, showcasing the power of collective action. The Black Image Center also hosted Mwalimu Petna Ndaliko Katondolo, who presented a master class that explored the possibilities of imagining alternative narratives and socio-political systems through a pluralistic lens.

Oxnard and Ontario, California
Local activists in Oxnard and Ontario, California welcomed the delegation with enthusiastic engagement. Both Lab805 and CASA Pitzer showcased the Mahindule photo display, screened film and engaged in  deep conversations about ethical sourcing of minerals and the role of international advocacy in supporting frontline  communities in the Congo. Students and community members shared their determination to support sustainable practices and amplify Congo’s stories through their networks.

Toronto, Canada
The Basandja Free Congo Tour culminated in Toronto, Canada at The Center For Social Innovation at the University of Toronto. Students and local activists hosted a film screening of Mikuba by Petna Ndaliko, which documents the voices of Congolese cobalt diggers at the bottom of EV and green energy supply chain. The screening was introduced by Friends of Congo’s, E.D., Maurice Carney and Petna Ndaliko closed with an engaging post-film discussion.