Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Adams.
Angel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Liberated Grounds because I needed a place to breathe—somewhere I could be fully myself, surrounded by people who knew what it meant to survive systems not built for us. I didn’t have a blueprint. What I had was a deep knowing that our communities are powerful, creative, and resourceful, even when we’re under-resourced. I was tired of waiting for someone to save us or fund us or finally understand us. So we decided to build it ourselves.
At first, it was just conversations—on street corners, at kitchen tables, after events. Then came Sunday gatherings, then the land, then Freedom Fest. Piece by piece, we started building not just programs, but a way of living rooted in shared care, ownership, and trust. I learned by doing—by listening to elders, being humbled by mistakes, and following the wisdom that lives in our people. What started as a vision turned into an ecosystem.
Now, Liberated Grounds is a growing cooperative network. We steward land, build programs, support artists, and create space for rest and resistance. We’ve created something real—something our children can inherit. I didn’t do it alone. The people carried this with me, and continue to. That’s how I got here: by saying yes to community, over and over again. And we’re just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. And honestly, I don’t think it was supposed to be.
There were times I was building this vision while barely holding myself together—mentally, emotionally, financially. Trying to organize and dream big while also figuring out how to keep the lights on, care for my child, and keep showing up for people. That’s real. There were moments I questioned everything—wondered if it was too much, too soon, or too lonely. I’ve had people walk away. I’ve had folks not understand the vision. I’ve had doors closed before I could even knock.
There’s also the constant push and pull between being in survival mode and being expected to lead with clarity and confidence. That’s a tension I think a lot of us feel—especially Black women and caregivers in this work. We’re creating what’s never existed, while still healing from what we’ve survived.
But even in all of that, I’ve been guided. The land taught me how to slow down. The community reminded me that I’m not alone. And the hard parts? They sharpened me. They helped me get clear on what’s worth fighting for. So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been sacred. And I’m still here, still building.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a builder. A strategist. A mother. A creator of space—for truth, for healing, for liberation. I lead Liberated Grounds, but that’s just one part of the story. I specialize in designing systems that actually work for our people. That means combining heart and vision with structure and strategy. I build ecosystems—whether it’s through cooperative economics, land stewardship, timebanking, or public-private partnerships. My work lives at the intersection of art, organizing, and infrastructure.
I’m also the voice behind Myself Embodied, a creative healing practice that uses music, poetry, and performance to tell the truth and invite others to do the same. It’s raw, sacred, and deeply personal. Through that work, I’ve created spaces where people can see themselves fully—where we remember that softness and power can coexist.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve stayed true. I didn’t wait for permission. I said yes to myself when I didn’t have a title, a budget, or a plan. I’ve raised my daughter while raising a vision. I’ve built from scratch, trusted my gut, and let God guide my next move when the map wasn’t clear. I’ve been underestimated more times than I can count, and every time I chose to keep going anyway.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just talk vision—I build it. I don’t lead from ego, I lead from embodiment. And everything I touch, I touch with intention. Whether I’m in a boardroom, on the mic, in the soil, or braiding my daughter’s hair—I bring the same energy: care, clarity, and commitment to freedom.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
My best guidance comes from the voice of my ancestors, quiet moments in nature, and the wisdom exchanged over kitchen tables, group chats, and on the grounds. That’s where the real curriculum lives—the kind you can’t Google or download. It’s passed down in energy, in presence, in lived experience.
Truly, it’s the everyday moments—the ones with no filter, no agenda—that teach me the most. That’s what keeps me aligned.
Pricing:
- Timebank with Liberated Grounds: $0
- Become a Member: $50
- Join the Luminary Guild: $297 (for business owners)
- Donate: pay what you can (LG Foundation is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit org)
- Hire Us for your next project or event: Negotiable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LiberatedGrounds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberatedgrounds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liberatedgrounds/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liberated-grounds-21391a2ab/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@liberatedgrounds
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mRmvdCgh6ZzTNhVbygfAx
