A Hoe Army bake sale is coming to Outer Limits Lounge in support of local artist

It ain’t easy for a hoe.

But what if a hoe were to use her body and sexuality to empower her community, rather than let it be defined by society’s perceptions? This is at the center of the work carried out by 304 Hoe Army in Detroit. Founded by Zoë Villegas, a lifelong Detroiter, bruja, and writer, along with other sex-positive women and people, the Hoe Army’s goal is to use sexuality as a weapon for combating injustices, partnering with established radical grassroots and mutual aid efforts to empower marginalized communities.

In the past, the Hoe Army has organized bikini “Fuck ICE” carwashes in support of Rapid Response Detroit, a group that provides resources for immigrants, Moratorium Now, Voix Noire, and has supported efforts to free Michigan prisoners Ray Gray and Barbara Hernandez.

According to Hoe Army’s manifesto, the group believes “that beyond raising money, that creating a culture of liberating self-acceptance provides the platform to create change.”

Now, the Hoe Army soldiers are organizing a bake sale to raise funds to send Detroit artist Ravin Martin— co-presenter of the Black Joy Sanctuary, just to name one of her many multimedia projects — to France where she was accepted into a prestigious artist residency.

“Raven Martin has always integrated her limitless creative strengths and her vision for 304 Army have been a key factor in the group’s successful organizing. She is a healer, a dreamer, a thinker, and an organizer and we are so proud that she has earned this opportunity to create, in a global context,” Villegas says.

To be held just in time for Valentine’s Day, the bake sale — featuring cookies designed by Kocsis — will take place 1-3 p.m., Feb. 13 at Outer Limits Lounge in Hamtramck. The sale is cash-only and COVID protocols will be in place (so mask up).

Interested in contributing baked goods? Hit up Zoë for more details at villegaszoe@gmail.com.

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This article was made possible by the Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund, a project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, that’s working to increase quality journalism and help better inform communities.