Black Environmental Thought II Conference September 20, 2012

Filling the deep void in the literature and practice of Black environmental thought.

The second national Black Environmental thought and practice conference invites scholars, activists, farmers, artists, gardeners, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts across the African diaspora to engage in translocal and transnational dialogues about environmental justice. The conference aims to provide a space where participants can bridge theory and practice while creating ethically responsible collaborative partnerships.

Environmental and agricultural philosophy and ethics deeply inform the practice of Black environmental thought, sustainable agriculture, and Black relationship to the land. Yet, the literature base and primary figures are predominantly European American. For African American environmentalist, farmers and those who have forged a relationship with the outdoors, there is little research or social learning opportunities available to gather together, learn more about how Black environmental thought can and does influence sustainable agriculture both as practice and social movement.

Featured speakers include:
Bernice Johnson Reagon has been a major cultural voice for freedom and justice. An African American woman’s voice, a child of Southwest Georgia, a voice raised in song, born in the struggle against racism in America during the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s, she is a composer, songleader, scholar and producer.
Kweku Anno, Ghanaian engineer, recognized for his work on Empower Playgrounds, which provide power for use in rural Ghana. He is currently the managing director of K.A. Anno Engineering Ltd.
Will Allen, Executive Director of Growing Power, which transforms communities by supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environments in which they live through the development of Community Food Systems. These systems provide high-quality, safe, healthy, affordable food for all residents in the community.
Monica White is an assistant professor of environmental justice at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a new position created and shared by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Community and Environmental Sociology in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Registration is required. Cost:
Full conference: $125
Friday, September 21 only: $70.00
Saturday, September 22 only: $56.25
Sunday, September 23rd only: $20.00
Student registration: $25.00
Community Participation registration: $50.00

Official Website: http://z.umn.edu/bet2