Farming While Black

February 29, 2024 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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Free

Farming While Black

Thursday, February 29th at 7:00 PM at the RWP Botanical Center, doors open 6:30
Tickets are free with a suggested $10 donation
RSVP required, seating is limited, go to: newportFilm.org
RSVP Here
This screening is shown in partnership between newportFILM and Roger Williams Park Conservancy
Thanks to our Sponsors RWP Botanical Center, Farm Fresh RI, and Inpopnito
Community Partners: African Alliance RI,ย  Aquidneck Commumity Land Trust, Aquidneck Community Table.

ABOUT THE FILM:ย 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 โ€“ 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 farmersโ€™ 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.

6:30 PM: Venue Opens
7:00 PM: Film Starts
8:15 PM: Open Forum and Community Conversation – light refreshments provided
Run time: 75 mins
Director: Mark Decena
Producer: Liz Lupino Decena

Details

A friendly heads up to Park-goers: Maple and Pine avenues at Cladastris Avenue are temporarily closed for approximately 4-6 weeks, limiting vehicle access to Park Avenue via FC Greene Memorial Boulevard. 

This temporary closure makes way for boardwalk construction at Cunliff Lake, a public access project that will enhance recreational opportunities at Roger Williams Park!

During this period, traffic will be detoured to park entrance and exit locations at Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Drivers using the Elmwood Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to FC Greene Memorial Boulevard to Linden Avenue to Elmwood Avenue south to Park Avenue east. Those using the Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to Montgomery Avenue to Broad Street south to Warwick Avenue south to Park Avenue west.

Pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open. However, visitors are advised to follow posted signage and respect all barriers, as a crane will be active weekdays from 7AM to 3PM.

For updates and more information about the project, follow @pvdparks
Thanks to everyone who came out to the RWP Winter Wonderland this past Saturday! From cookies and hot cocoa to a visit from the big man in red, there was much merry-making to be had! Bundle up and swing by Roger Williams Park any evening this month to see all the twinkling lights. ๐ŸŽ„

Shout out to all of our Park partners for putting on the festive event:

@pvdparks 
@rwpmuseum 
@rwpbotanicalcenter 
@rwpgatewaycenter 
@rwpzoo
Happy #GivingTuesday2025! Did you know that Roger Williams Park Conservancy, with the help of our many wonderful partners, brought more than 50 programs to the Park this year? Help us offer even more free or low-cost, family-friendly events in 2026 with a donation!

@pvd_foodtruckevents 
@pvdfilmfestival 
@providencetourism 
@providenceact 
@cityofprovidence 
@pvdparks 
@ricommerce 
@firstworksri 
@rwpzoo 
@rwpbotanicalcenter
@rwpgatewaycenter 
@rwpmuseum
From family picnics in the Rose Garden and concerts at the Bandstand to seeing the cherry blossoms bloom in the Japanese Garden every spring and sled-riding in the winter, Roger Williams Park is the backdrop of so many memories year-round, and even more opportunities to escape into nature, connect with neighbors, and attend events in the future! ๐ŸŒธโ˜ƒ๏ธ๐Ÿ‚๐ŸŒณ

With your continued support this #GivingTuesday2025, and collaborating with @pvdparks , we canโ€™t wait to offer even more free family-friendly programming, make accessibility upgrades and restorations of historic structures, steward critical green spaces, and more in 2026.

Follow the link in bio to donate, with options for one-time or recurring gifts.

Drone footage by @derecola.photo
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