Our Impact Goals: Reclaiming Afro-Indigenous Agricultural Heritage and Lost Land
The FARMING WHILE BLACK impact campaign will spark conversation and promote education around the historical origins of Black Farmers in the United States. Over a century and a half before the birth of this country, enslaved Africans were the original farmers. Today we still have not come to terms with our origin story: colonization, oppression and enslavement of millions who built this country - a country founded on the principles of "Freedom”. But not freedom for all. That's not critical race theory, that's history. And its long tendrils still affect Black farmers today.
We are bringing FARMING WHILE BLACK to the rising and legacy generations of Black farmers, community gardeners, land stewards and allies to reconnect to their Afro-Indigenous regenerative agricultural roots, to not only heal, but find strength and inspiration in land; and in turn change the food system to be more just, healthy and climate resilient.
FARMING WHILE BLACK can help Black, Brown and Indigenous communities to be heard, provoke dialogue, and seek accountability in ways that celebrate the wisdom, fortitude and beauty within the rich communities that have existed for centuries, and the new found communities that are finding fresh roots to set down.
The next phase of our Impact Campaign is to help fulfill the reclaiming of the 14 million acres of lost land for Black farmers inspired by the work of the National Black Food & Justice Alliance, HEAL Food Alliance, and other organizations. We hope to begin a National Screening Tour in partnership with Black Land Trusts to help support and create awareness around the work they do on the ground.
Our Impact Community Screening Tour keeps growing — help us continue to plant the seeds!
Now two and a half years into its release run, we’re ready to keep spreading our impact campaign that has had over 200 community screenings. We have found no greater satisfaction than to share the film with follow up panel conversations with the filmmakers, local Black and Brown farmers, and food sovereignty allies.
Through inspiration, education, dialogue and resources, we hope to help change the food system to be more inclusive, healthy, and empowering.
Reaction Reel
“If you have a pig in your backyard, if you have some vegetables in your garden, you can feed yourself and your family, and nobody can push you around.”