When we talk about the Black experience in the diaspora, the conversation must always include our relationship to land. Beginning with the viewing of the 75-minute documentary FARMING WHILE BLACK based on the book of the same title from Soul Fire Farm, this program will uplift the lived land experience of three powerful Black women farmers from across the United States - Leah Penniman, Brandi Mack, and Angie Provost. After the film, these land stewards will be in conversation with Chef-in-Residence Jocelyn Jackson about how they are engaging the legal, spiritual and communal importance of reclaiming our ancestral connection to the land. 

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Light snacks will be provided. 

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About the Film | Farming While Black

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Farming While Black is a feature-length documentary film which examines the historical plight of Black farmers in the United States and the rising generation reclaiming their rightful ownership to land and reconnecting with their ancestral roots.

As the co-founder of Soul Fire Farm in upstate New York, Leah Penniman finds strength in the deep historical knowledge of African agrarianism – agricultural practices that can heal people and the planet. Influenced and inspired by Karen Washington, a pioneer in urban community gardens in New York City, and fellow farmer and organizer Blain Snipstal, Leah galvanizes around farming as the basis of revolutionary justice.

In 1910, Black farmers owned 14 percent of all American farmland. Over the intervening decades, that number fell below two percent, the result of racism, discrimination, and dispossession. The film chronicles Penniman and two other Black farmers’ efforts to reclaim their agricultural heritage. Collectively, their work has a major impact, as each is a leader in sustainable agriculture and food justice movements.

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About the Panelists

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Angie Provost is the co-founder and driving force behind Provost Farms LLC, a renowned agricultural enterprise celebrated for its commitment to sustainable farming methods and premium produce. Raised in a farming community, Angie's early experiences instilled in her a profound respect for the land and its potential. Armed with a degree in Agricultural Business Management, she embarked on a mission to revolutionize traditional farming practices while preserving environmental integrity.

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At Provost Farms, Angie's leadership has propelled the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and eco-conscious techniques, resulting in optimal productivity and minimal ecological footprint. Her visionary approach has positioned Provost Farms as a trailblazer in sustainable agriculture, garnering accolades within the industry. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Angie remains deeply engaged in community outreach initiatives, championing agricultural education and supporting local farmers. Through her unwavering dedication, Angie Provost is not only shaping the future of Provost Farms but also advocating for a sustainable agricultural landscape that benefits both present and future generations.

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Brandi Mack, a mother of three, is a seasoned professional in holistic health, youth development, and ecological sustainability. With a degree in Human Service Management and certification in permaculture, she has over 15 years of experience.

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As the National Director of The Butterfly Movement, Brandi focuses on healing emotional wounds and reconnecting with the earth, guiding individuals toward a reactivated life. She's involved in multiple boards, advocating for community wellness.

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Brandi's journey from overcoming adversity in her upbringing led her to found Urban Farming and Healing initiatives in California. Her dedication stems from a desire to shield her daughters from similar traumas, leading her into holistic medicine and community-focused projects.

Establishing the Holistic Health Center, she made alternative wellness accessible to underserved communities, furthering her mission through educational initiatives. Today, as the CEO of The Butterfly Movement, Brandi continues her commitment to holistic health and community empowerment.

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Leah Penniman is a dynamic force in the realm of sustainable agriculture and social justice, known for her groundbreaking work in promoting food sovereignty and racial equity. Raised in Massachusetts, Leah developed a profound connection to the land from an early age, laying the foundation for her lifelong commitment to farming and community empowerment. Co-founding Soul Fire Farm in New York in 2006, Leah has pioneered initiatives to address food injustice and reclaim ancestral connections to the land. Her acclaimed book, "Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land," serves as both a practical manual for aspiring Black farmers and a rallying cry for systemic change within the agricultural sector. Through her writing, activism, and leadership, Leah continues to inspire and empower individuals and communities to create a more just and sustainable food system.

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In addition to her work as an author, Leah is a sought-after speaker and educator, sharing her expertise nationally and internationally. She has received recognition for her advocacy, including being honored as a "Champion of Change" by the Obama White House in 2019. Leah's tireless dedication to promoting food sovereignty and racial justice has made her a leading figure in the movement for transformative change within the agricultural industry, leaving an indelible mark on both the farming community and the broader social justice landscape.

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Jocelyn Jackson is an award-winning chef, artist, teacher, and activist who was raised on the Kansas plains by a Tuskegee Airman and the first Black woman to run for mayor in Wichita. Her family tradition of social justice led her to pursue a law degree after completing her BA in Fine Arts. After practicing law for six years in DC, she spent two years in Mali and across West Africa as a Natural Resource Volunteer and returned to the states to finish her formal education with a MS in Environmental Education. Once she landed in the Bay Area, her lifelong devotion to healing food experiences became the vessel for her cultural entrepreneurship and activism. Jocelyn has been a professional cook for over 12 years. She spoke on the principles of community nourishment at Court Bouillon in Southern France, and was part of the team that presented the inaugural Diaspora Dinner at MoAD. She is the founder of JUSTUS Kitchen and the co-founder of People’s Kitchen Collective (PKC). Both organizations serve to center the lived experience and liberation of Black and brown peoples using food, art, and social justice as vehicles for change.  

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Jocelyn has received several honors as an artist and chef over the years. She was named Rising Star Chef alongside PKC by the SF Chronicle, received the Rainin Open Spaces and Fellows Grant, Creative Capital Award, Ruth Foundation for the Arts Grant, and Headlands Center for the Arts Residency. In 2021 she was selected for Ava DuVernay’s LEAP Foundation Grant to create a culinary arts based installation that reflected the story of Philando Castille. Jocelyn has published writing on the topics of food and justice in Eater, Epicurious, The Kitchn, Feed the Resistance by Julia Turshen, and Black Food by Bryant Terry.

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The Chef-in-Residence program is made possible by the generous support of Kaiser Permanente

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