About Us
It takes a whole village to raise a child
-Nigerian Proverb
What We Do
Play Cousins Collective is a Black family collective dedicated to creating a world where children can thrive, play, and grow with freedom. We achieve this by sharing nurturing and gentle parenting techniques designed to liberate and heal us from generational wounds and traumas. Our work encompasses caregiver support, youth enrichment, community healing, and civic engagement, all deeply rooted in Ancestral practices of healing, resilience, and liberation.
Our collective is made up of families raising Black children who come together to address their unique needs, heal generational traumas, and build a network that shields them from systemic oppression and racism.
We believe that families and communities can discover healing and resilience through intentional parenting and self-love. Through our programs, the adults in our village gain the tools they need to heal and become pillars of strength within their communities. Meanwhile, our children receive the guidance they need to grow into stewards of their community, ready to take on the role of elders in the future.
Based in West Louisville, Kentucky, our mission is to cultivate a community of care for Black families. We aim to build a village around our children through Afrocentric approaches, fostering a nurturing environment where they can flourish.
How We Started
Play Cousins Collective (PCC), established in 2017, is a Black family collective committed to building a supportive village around children, guided by a vision where Black children are free to live, play, and thrive. The tragic loss of Trayvon Martin in 2012 deeply impacted the founders, leading them to consider how the outcome might have differed if someone in that community had recognized Trayvon as part of their extended family and taken responsibility for his safety. This reflection reinforced PCC’s dedication to preparing both children for the world and the world for our children.
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The collective was also inspired by the findings of the 2017 Louisville Metro Health Equity Report, which highlighted significant disparities in life expectancy and death rates among Black individuals due to systemic oppression. In response, a group of Black adults came together to celebrate the richness and resilience of Louisville's Black community. They focused on the positive aspects of their lives—Black joy, successful businesses, vibrant community events—countering the negative narratives often portrayed in the media.
PCC began by sharing newsletters that highlighted events, programs, and activities supporting Black families, and organizing pop-up playdates to foster a growing community. Rather than seeking to "fix" their community, PCC aims to create an environment where Blackness is celebrated, and community members are empowered to define their own narratives and possibilities.
Testimonials
Play Cousins has been community, sisterhood, ancestral, love, enrichment, and a home away from home!!! Thank you guys for being who you are. I am because you are!!!!
–Parents