Karen Washington

Leah Penniman, a Black Kreyol educator and co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, joins a panel discussing food apartheid and its systemic roots. Dr. Rupa Marya, a physician and activist, emphasizes the need for deep medicine to tackle social injustices affecting health. Raj Patel connects food injustice to colonialism and capitalism, while Karen Washington shares her grassroots efforts to improve food access in the Bronx. Together, they propose actionable solutions like regenerative farming, policy reform, and community empowerment to create a more equitable food system.

Academy Award-nominated actor Stephanie Hsu opens the discussion with her personal journey connecting arts and regenerative agriculture. Sea Matias shares touching stories from his Abuela about food and community, illustrating the essence of culturally rooted food sovereignty. Karen Washington highlights the urgent need for diversity in farming and the devastating impact of federal funding cuts on small farmers. Together, they emphasize the importance of land stewardship, community support, and collective action for a more just food system.

In this conversation, Sam Acho, a former NFL player and humanitarian, shares his inspiring journey in transforming a Chicago liquor store into a community food mart, emphasizing humility and support for local entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Karen Washington, a passionate farmer and activist, dives into the challenges of food justice amidst social inequities. They discuss the need for community empowerment, the impact of fear in uncertain times, and the shift from ‘food deserts’ to the more accurate concept of ‘food apartheid,’ advocating for systemic change in food access.

Karen Washington, a passionate farmer and food advocate, dives into the pressing issue of food apartheid and its impact on health disparities in marginalized communities. She emphasizes the need for transformative changes in our food system, advocating for grassroots movements to empower local growers. The conversation highlights the historical barriers to healthy food access and the importance of reconnecting communities to agriculture. Washington calls for accountability in policy-making and a collective effort to create a more equitable and nourishing food environment for all.

Karen Washington, a passionate farmer, activist, and co-founder of Black Urban Growers, dives deep into the complexities of food apartheid and its impact on marginalized communities. She shares her transformative journey from growing tomatoes in the Bronx to advocating for systemic changes that empower low-income areas. Discussion includes the historical loss of African-American land ownership, the vital role of grassroots movements in policy reform, and the urgent need for voting empowerment among disenfranchised youth. A riveting conversation on using food as a tool for justice!