LOUISVILLE, Ky. — 1-year-old Levi is Tanaa Griffin’s pride and joy. “That’s my little stinkaboo. He loves to climb he likes to be outside and play,” said Griffin. 

What You Need To Know

  • Play Cousins Collective is a Black family collective

  • PCC offers low-cost and free child and family programming

  • Members have access to events, mental health resources and parent groups

  • The collective has 1,000 members

 When it comes to raising a child, it takes a village. She found hers with the Play Cousins Collective, a Black family collective that builds a village of support. “Starting off and parenthood like there’s nothing more comforting than having someone else that’s doing that with you,” said Griffin. 

The collective started with Kristen Williams’s vision to care for her two boys differently. “My vision for Play Cousins Collective is that my children will grow up and have truly known that Black people are wealthy and healthy and whole, that we’re capable and that’s the norm for us. And then they’ll go out and they’ll manifest that for themselves and share that with others,” said Williams. 

Play Cousins Collective provides children programming some held at community events. It’s as much for the parents as it is for the kids. “We want our parents to be active citizens and the only way we can is if we have child care. A lot of the time, it’s a huge barrier for folks and so we want to take that barrier away,” said Williams.  

The nonprofit also provides resource sharing, mental health healing and parent groups all on a sliding scale rate and free whenever possible. 

“Everybody has something to share. We say it’s almost like a cookout. Everybody can bring something even if you’re the person bringing ice. You have something to offer and we want you to do that,” said Williams. 

The collective celebrates Black families through an asset-based lens to pass on generational healing instead of generational trauma to children. “We are doing this in order to bring about a world where they can be free to live, play and prosper and we are building on the traditions of our ancestors,” explained Williams. 

Griffin believes being part of the collective will make a positive long-term impact on her son. 

“I know he’s going to be more intelligent and more compassionate, being able to learn more about his culture and just being around like other loving and accepting people,” said Griffin. 

That’s the power of a village focused on strengthening families. 

If you are interested in joining or learning more about the collective, you can find more information here. 

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