A New Vision for Food, Farming, & Faith

Abstract:

The Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN) started with a "What If?"  What if African Americans could co-create Black food ecosystems anchored by churches?  That initial "What If" germinated and began spreading to churches, schools, and farms across the country.  That "What If" tapped into a centuries-old relationship between farmers and people of faith.  Based in Baltimore, the Black Church Food Security Network is experiencing dynamic growth and is in the early stages of operationalizing a multi-state approach to advancing food justice with those most directly affected by food apartheid leading the way.  In this presentation, Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III will share the origin story of this organization, its programs and ways for others to join this movement! 

Bio:

Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown, III is a community organizer, social entrepreneur and Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.  For nearly two decades, Dr. Brown has been a catalyst for personal transformation and social change.  In 2010, he launched Orita's Cross Freedom School to provide youth with learning experience that centers African heritage and hands-on skill development.  In 2015, he launched the Black Church Food Security Network which advances health, wealth, and power by helping African American congregations establish gardens on church-owned land and partner with Black farmers.  He is the recipient of numerous awards and is currently working on his first book which explores the historic relationship between Black churches, Black farmers and faith-based food sovereignty.