Download the event poster here!

For the culmination of Food Week 2019, come listen to a talk on “The African American Land Ethic: Intersection of Conservation, Environmental Justice and Protection” by keynote speaker Lillian “Ebonie” Alexander, Executive Director of the Black Family Land Trust, Inc. (BFLT).

The BFLT is a niche land trust and one of the nation’s only regional land trust dedicated to the preservation and protection of African-American and other historically underserved landowner’s land assets. Since joining the BFLT in 2009, Ebonie designed and implemented the African American Land Ethic and Wealth Retention and Asset Protection (WRAP) programs. Together these two programs have assisted landowners to retain family ownership and control of more than $12.5 million of their land assets and deployed more than $500,000 USDA-EQIP funding to landowners during the past five years.

Prior to joining the BFLT, Ebonie was the President of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, Inc., a statewide funding intermediary supporting the community based economic development and affordable housing sectors. Ebonie is a firm believer that land is a tangible asset with economic, human and spiritual value, which connects African Americans with their rich history in the Americas and their ancestors.

Ebonie currently serves on the American Farmland Trust, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the North Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. A native of Maryland, Ebonie has degrees in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. She currently resides in Southside Virginia on a former tobacco farm which has been in her family for six generations.  A proud Virginian, avid reader and lover of history, Ebonie has one daughter, and is the very proud Gramz to a 16 year old grandson and 6 year old granddaughter.

This event follows a panel discussion of the recently-released Environmental Racism Report. The discussion will take place from 5:30 – 6:30p in the same location and will be followed by a catered reception until 7p. Nearby, free parking is available after 5pm in the East End Garage, just west of Skinker. MetroLink: Skiner Station. 

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This event is part of WashU’s 2019 Food Week! Visit this page to view the full program.