Black Woman Agricultural Freedom Fund
Donation protected
The Black Woman Agricultural Freedom Fund was created to advance the work of acquiring black-owned farmland, equipment, and the development of land-based businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Black women are some of the most affected members of the Black community with the loss of employment, housing implications, fractured education and childcare systems, and violence in the home with implications to supporting their families and themselves.
During this time, many people are realizing they need to support Black communities fighting against anti-Black racism. While responding to police violence defunding their work is crucial and where the money is placed will make a difference generationally for Black families. Supporting long-term initiatives that build capacity and economic freedom is a MUST.
We are raising funds to support Black women who were recently fired from their jobs at a “food justice” organization due to anti-Black racism. These women have been on the frontlines of community work and food justice for decades, ensuring that their communities and families have access to food security.
We cannot wait for organizations who have thrown Black people under the bus to suddenly care. We are in the middle of a pandemic and anticipating a global food shortage.
We are calling on people to support these women and their families during this time by helping them secure agricultural land, equipment, and tools to ensure they can provide for their communities.
It’s time we give back as a way to make reparations, support their work, and ensure Black families have what they need to survive.
WHAT HAPPENED
These women lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the majority of Black women working for the organization, with little to no warning. The organization used the funds to increase the salary of one of their white employees and rehire new staff for the same position. However, this is not an isolated incident
Non-for-profits are complicit in keeping Black communities in poverty. While many organizations claim to help Black communities, there is often little representation of Black community members, organizers, and farmers in their executive-level staff or board of directors. Rarely are Black people, particularly those who come from low-income neighborhoods, ever given the chance to speak and advocate for themselves. They are almost exclusively hired at entry-level positions where they are paid below a living wage and never given the chance to work their way up the organization even when they have the skills and education required.
Food Justice is a concept that was born out of the struggle for Black people to survive and thrive. It has been used as a tool to allow for self-determination and freedom, yet it has been appropriated by non-for-profit organizations to get more funding while erasing Black people from the discussion.
CONTEXT
In the United States, Black farmers have lost 90% of their agricultural land due to systemic anti-Black racism. The statists are no different in Canada. The vast majority of Black settlements across the country have been violently destroyed, or are severely threatened. Black neighborhoods continue to be violently gentrified. Since the first slave ships arrived in the so-called Americas, Black people have been robbed of their ability to self-determine.
Currently, Black households in Canada are more than 3 times more likely to be food insecure than white households. 36.6% of Black children live in food-insecure households compared to 12.4% of white children.
GET INVOLVED
During this time, many people are realizing the need to support Black communities fighting against anti-Black racism. While responding to police violence is important, it is also essential we support long-term initiatives that build capacity, food security, and economic freedom for Black women.
We ask that you donate generously, with the understanding that this work is necessary and instrumental in ensuring Black communities have what they need.
We encourage you to organize a fundraiser in your community to help raise funds. This can look like a raffle, a community dinner, a concert, calling your friends and family and asking them to chip in, etc. (all while remaining safe).
If you would like to organize a fundraiser or donate land please send a message and I will ensure it is passed on.
During this time, many people are realizing they need to support Black communities fighting against anti-Black racism. While responding to police violence defunding their work is crucial and where the money is placed will make a difference generationally for Black families. Supporting long-term initiatives that build capacity and economic freedom is a MUST.
We are raising funds to support Black women who were recently fired from their jobs at a “food justice” organization due to anti-Black racism. These women have been on the frontlines of community work and food justice for decades, ensuring that their communities and families have access to food security.
We cannot wait for organizations who have thrown Black people under the bus to suddenly care. We are in the middle of a pandemic and anticipating a global food shortage.
We are calling on people to support these women and their families during this time by helping them secure agricultural land, equipment, and tools to ensure they can provide for their communities.
It’s time we give back as a way to make reparations, support their work, and ensure Black families have what they need to survive.
WHAT HAPPENED
These women lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the majority of Black women working for the organization, with little to no warning. The organization used the funds to increase the salary of one of their white employees and rehire new staff for the same position. However, this is not an isolated incident
Non-for-profits are complicit in keeping Black communities in poverty. While many organizations claim to help Black communities, there is often little representation of Black community members, organizers, and farmers in their executive-level staff or board of directors. Rarely are Black people, particularly those who come from low-income neighborhoods, ever given the chance to speak and advocate for themselves. They are almost exclusively hired at entry-level positions where they are paid below a living wage and never given the chance to work their way up the organization even when they have the skills and education required.
Food Justice is a concept that was born out of the struggle for Black people to survive and thrive. It has been used as a tool to allow for self-determination and freedom, yet it has been appropriated by non-for-profit organizations to get more funding while erasing Black people from the discussion.
CONTEXT
In the United States, Black farmers have lost 90% of their agricultural land due to systemic anti-Black racism. The statists are no different in Canada. The vast majority of Black settlements across the country have been violently destroyed, or are severely threatened. Black neighborhoods continue to be violently gentrified. Since the first slave ships arrived in the so-called Americas, Black people have been robbed of their ability to self-determine.
Currently, Black households in Canada are more than 3 times more likely to be food insecure than white households. 36.6% of Black children live in food-insecure households compared to 12.4% of white children.
GET INVOLVED
During this time, many people are realizing the need to support Black communities fighting against anti-Black racism. While responding to police violence is important, it is also essential we support long-term initiatives that build capacity, food security, and economic freedom for Black women.
We ask that you donate generously, with the understanding that this work is necessary and instrumental in ensuring Black communities have what they need.
We encourage you to organize a fundraiser in your community to help raise funds. This can look like a raffle, a community dinner, a concert, calling your friends and family and asking them to chip in, etc. (all while remaining safe).
If you would like to organize a fundraiser or donate land please send a message and I will ensure it is passed on.
Organizer
Shabina Lafleur-Gangji
Organizer
Scarborough, ON