What do coffee, rooibos tea, palm oil, shea butter, watermelon, black eyed peas, collards, okra, yams and millet have in common? They are all food crops originally domesticated in Africa that have played an important role in the development of American cuisine and culture.
During the Conservatory’s free February Community Day, Dr. Julialynne Walker, a local food justice activist and co-founder of Bronzeville Growers Market and Agricademy, spoke about the many ways that pan-African foods and growing practices continue to have an enduring influence on American foodways and how urban growing can reduce food inequality.
Dr. Walker’s talk engaged a packed house of community gardeners and neighbors, fitting into a beautiful daylong celebration in honor of Black History Month and Near East Side neighborhoods like Franklin Park, King-Lincoln Bronzeville and Olde Towne East.
Dr. Julialynne Walker
An on-site resource fair and vendor market presented in collaboration with Making a Difference brought together Black artists, artisans and makers, as well as community gardeners like Richard M. Harris of Growing Hearts and Hands Community Garden, located on Oak St. just a few blocks from the Conservatory.
Mr. Harris, a community gardener who was recently recognized during the Conservatory’s Harvest award ceremony, presided over a booth highlighting the contributions of Black locals such as Rick Singletary, Rev. Melvin Steward Sr. and Carl L. Brown Sr. who have helped to nourish the Near East Side for the last hundred years. A bowl of peanuts in the center of the table invited visitors to munch on a snack while learning more about George Washington Carver and his contributions to agriculture. “We want to be here, we want to grow, we want our children to grow,” said Harris about his hopes for the future of the historically Black Near East Side.
Mr. Harris during Community Day on February 5
