Community Gathers Around Racial Justice in the Food Movement

“Yes to your donation. Yes to your food drive. Yes to your half-eaten sandwich on top of the garbage can and not in it. But yes, to something more too. Yes to showing up in the world looking like somebody who is going to help!” — Marvin White. Full text here.

Over 150 people came out to Ed Roberts Campus on November 19 to attend the Community Forum on Black Liberation and the Food Movement, an event hosted by BFI and a dozen community partners. Speakers included former Black Panther Judy Juanita, Pastor Mike of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley, and Chef Sarah Kirnon of Miss Ollie’s restaurant, who provided dinner for the evening. The forum was featured in a recent Berkeleyside article, which recapped the event and the wide range of discussion topics generated by speakers and attendees, “from the traumatic legacy of slavery on African-Americans’ relationship with food production and land, to the contemporary black culinary scene, food insecurity, and the whiteness of the food justice movement.” Overall, the forum was extremely well-received, with 100% of post-event survey respondents rating the panel (and the meal) as “Very Good” or “Excellent.” See event photos on BFI‘s Facebook page and full video footage here.

“This much needed conversation that prioritizes Black voices and Black liberation in the food system is bridging siloed conversations that have only begun to see the light of day…this event should not be considered as a one off.” — Anonymous attendee

Panelists David Roach, Bryant Terry, Kelly Carlisle, Pastor Michael McBride, Karissa Lewis, and Shaniece Alexander. Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small