Learn about and celebrate the individuals and organizations who delve into the interconnectedness between food, race, culture, and identity.
In a previous post, we listed some of our favorite Black-owned vegan businesses and encouraged our readers to support them in any way possible.
February is Black History Month and to celebrate, we’d like to highlight and celebrate some individuals and organizations who delve into the interconnectedness between food, race, culture, and identity.
We encourage you to check out their websites and support them via volunteering, donating, or promoting their work.
Let us know if there are any other organizations you think we should have on this list.
“Unlike conventional supermarkets and grocery stores, Mandela is operated, centrally governed, and democratically controlled by our worker-owners. Our structure and operations are guided by cooperative principles and a strong community centered mission.”
Mandela Grocery Cooperative was a part of our Virtual VegFest last summer and some of our student advocates have worked with them to reach out to local communities about pandemic EBT support. If you’d like to support their work, visit their Karma Jar page.
“Black Vegans Rock was founded by Aph Ko after she wrote the first list that spotlighted 100 Black Vegans for Striving with Systems back in June 2015. She decided to research and compile a list of influential Black vegans who were doing incredible work to dismantle the stereotype that veganism was a “white person’s” thing.
After releasing the list, she received emails from Black vegans all over the world who wanted to be featured on the list as well. Some people told her that they had a vegan organization and they wanted to get it in front of other Black vegans. Since Aph didn’t want to add on to the 100 Black Vegans list, she decided to create a platform devoted to spotlighting incredible Black vegans every day.”
“Sistah Vegan Project is centered around the lives of black female vegans. Going beyond ‘just veganism’, this project focuses on veganism as well as other holistic health practices… and intersections of race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, able-bodiedness, etc.”
FFAC was lucky enough to have A. Breeze Harper as a speaker for our Virtual VegFest last year.
“People don’t want to sacrifice flavor to improve their health, especially in Latino and African American communities. Our cuisine is part of our culture and identity, so it’s hard to think about changing the food we grew up with.
Our mission is to provide vegan guidance and meal solutions that are full of flavor and full of soul, so that you don’t lose those ties to your family, culture and foods you love.”
“Black Vegans Today is a website devoted to providing vegan and plant-based news, recipes, tips, and information pertinent to the Black community from a Black perspective. All of our contributors fall somewhere on the vegan scale (all vegan, mostly vegan, sometimes vegan, vegan/vegetarian, etc.). All are welcome to the site regardless of dietary preferences. Everyone’s journey to a plant-based lifestyle is different and respected.”
“Afro-Vegan Society is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to provide resources and support to help people in marginalized communities transition to vegan living.”
“La Finca del Sur/South Bronx Farmers is an urban farmer cooperative led by Latina and Black women and their allies.”
“Black Urban Growers (BUGS) is an organization committed to building networks and community support for growers in both urban and rural settings. Through education and advocacy around food and farm issues, we nurture collective Black leadership to ensure we have a seat at the table.”
Jose Mendez is the San Francisco Director of the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition.
