Black Land Ownership is a grassroots organization, founded by Christopher Banks Carr and Melissa Hunter Gurney, to combat the historical, systematic and institutionalized marginalization experienced by people of African descent.
It is imperative that we recognize the outrageous mistreatment and disparity experienced by Black people not only in the U.S. but worldwide in regards to land ownership.
Black Land Ownership
Our Mission
Short term: our goal is to centralize information, identify opportunities and empower Black people to purchase land - specifically in rural areas.
Long term: we aim to fund land projects that support the Black community artistically, economically and educationally as well as connect the worlds of social justice, environment protection, permaculture and sustainability.
Black land ownership is a human rights issue.
Our research, although specific to the Black community, unequivocally reveals the need to raise awareness for other marginalized groups — women, trans, indigenous, immigrants — with limited resources or capital.



Our Projects
Recreational Property
22 acres in Richfield Springs, NY
Black Land Ownership has purchased a 150K property in Richfield Springs, NY with 22 acres, lake access, single-wide trailer in place, grape arbor, apple trees, wildflowers and more.
20
minutes outside of Cooperstown
4
hours from NYC
15
minutes from our conservation property in Fly Creek
Achievements: Raised $5,000 in donations and 9,500 via crypto grant of 5k put into a liquidity pool and turned into $9,500
What we will do with the land/property...
We will offer programming such as: conferences, workshops, seminars, outdoor immersion, yoga retreats, field trips for youth and other gatherings.
This property will be the BLO hub for cultivating an arts driven, education center; geared around anti-racist and anti-colonialist theory. One rooted in Pan-African philosophy and indigenous health practices.
Ideas we are consider:
• A yearly outdoor music festival
• Artists residency programs
• Small level sustainable farming/Permaculture initiatives
• Outdoor art installations all around the property
• Reintroduction to wilderness survival training
• Self-defense for women/marginalized groups
• Rites of passage weekends for young people
• Water safety/swimming activities
• Artists residency programs
• Small level sustainable farming/Permaculture initiatives
• Outdoor art installations all around the property
• Reintroduction to wilderness survival training
• Self-defense for women/marginalized groups
• Rites of passage weekends for young people
• Water safety/swimming activities
Conservation Land
15.6 acres of conservation land 15 minutes outside of Cooperstown (Fly Creek)
Hiking and Camping for folks who feel less protected in state parks or common
lands: There are numerous people who feel unsafe camping and hiking on public
lands due to the history of racial violence in rural areas. We want our land to be
a safe space for folks who would like to experience the great outdoors without
the threat of harassment, intimidation and overt racism.
Achievements: Raised $20,000 of the 25 K necessary to buy the property
Activities at the conservation property
We would like to create a sculpture park made with all organic materials—stone
and wood monoliths, microliths, sculptures that incorporate the sun, wind,
seasons, and natural processes that utilize gravity and inclines and work with
the forested areas of the property. This project will allow us to:
• Get to know the land and the resources it holds
• Promote creative endeavors that aim to sustain natural environments
• Connect with the community by offering and explorative experience in nature
• Support independent artists who may not get the chance to work in such a vast and natural environment
• Get to know the land and the resources it holds
• Promote creative endeavors that aim to sustain natural environments
• Connect with the community by offering and explorative experience in nature
• Support independent artists who may not get the chance to work in such a vast and natural environment
Meet our team.

Christopher Carr
Co-Founder

Melissa Hunter Gurney
Co-Founder

Vladic Ravich
Advocate

Christina Donnely
Advocate

Marcus Demery
Advocate

Ryn Burns
Architect & Board Member