Loove Moore speaks to Kakoli Mitra about his thoughts on building relationships with and between people in his community in Oakland, California (United States). For him, having a cohesive community, in which people feel connected to each other, is vital because it makes people feel safe, heard, and supported. Loove Moore talks about why it’s difficult to live and thrive in Oakland, but also about the beauty, resilience, and talents of his home city. He draws on his creativity as a musician to bring different people from his community together, so that they can participate in his music and co-create joy, companionship, and meaning. He also brings people together — for example, through his unity hikes — to help them reconnect with themselves, each other, and their ecologies, building lasting bonds as they do so.

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