Before Laundi Germaine Keepseagle became a Chicagoan two years ago, she originally lived in the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, where she was born and raised by her grandmother.
“My grandmother is definitely the reason why I have navigated the world how I have. I have the ability to thrive through my culture. Everything that I do, all my passions come through a place of my cultural identity that was all instilled by her.”
Today, Laundi is first and foremost a loving mother and second she is an advocate for social change and the pursuit of happiness. Since Laundi became a young mother her daughters gave her the focus and a drive in order to succeed.
For Laundi her time as an advocate for social change began long before she moved to Chicago. Back in 2016, her reservation held a large protest against the oil industry which was called by its hashtag, #NoDAPL. The grassroots movement took place over the course of nine months and over 40,000 people participated.
Laundi was one of them and her efforts didn’t go unnoticed as she was managing the logistics of the protests. Recording artist and activist Vic Mensa was there helping with the efforts against the oil industry and came in contact with Laundi.
“He basically was like, 'Yo I wanna do good work in Chicago in a real way.’ Then we had conversations over 2017 on how we can make this work. So I moved to Chicago to start SaveMoneySaveLife.”
Laundi moved to Chicago and the SaveMoneySaveLife Foundation was launched on March 16, 2019. Their mission is to use art and entertainment in order to foster sustainable change.
Her role within the foundation is as the executive director. Since the foundation began they have had two fully active programs. One of them is Save Money Studios which is a storytelling program which focuses on things such as investigative journalism, photography and cinematography.
“Laundi is a mother, activist and leader. I mean she is truly a badass person. I am truly moved by her commitment to SaveMoneySaveLife, the Chicago community and social justice.”
Content Creator / Creative Writer for SaveMoneySaveLife Foundation
The other program they have is Street Medix which focuses on teaching civilians within the 11 neighborhoods that suffer the most gun violence the skills necessary for first response care.
“Street Medix has saved people's lives. We are actively trying to close a death gap and we save a life that is definitely a measure of success.”
Moving forward a focus for Laundi and SaveMoneySaveLife is establishing a community center in Bronzeville.
Laundi finds what she does rewarding because she’s able to make a living by giving and helping others. She does what she loves and the communities around Chicago benefit from it.
“I don’t consider myself an activist, I consider myself active. I do believe I am a community architect, that I give a fuck and I am actively making changes.”
This Sunday SMSL is hosting Sunday Brunch & Gallery: A SaveMoneySaveLife Fundraiser with Alan from WhatWasBreakfast which will gather funds for their soon to open community center, The Ave.
Get your tickets or donate here.