May 31 2026, we welcomed a beautiful beaming full moon and recharging rains for our Afro-Indigenous Rice Planting Workshop on G4 Farms in Crawfordville, Georgia. Like water on a duck’s back, the rain did not deter our participants who showed up eager to learn more about this farming practice. The heavy rains even tested our instructor, Farmer Myles, giving him a flat tire during his commute. A little tire couldn’t stop the power of planting! I was glad to see all generations

There are people who move through the world, and then there are people who activate it. This month, we’re honored to spotlight Black Sustainability Network member, Sister zahra alabanza, a mother, organizer, creative, and adventurer whose life and work embody joy, liberation, and possibility. zahra alabanza conjures enthusiasm for life by practicing pleasure and play, living simply, and seeking joy in its most expansive forms. Whether she’s curating experiences, building comm

Momentum is building in Southwest Atlanta as week two of our inaugural GRID Alternatives Installation Basics Training (IBT) program continues to take shape! Led by Black Sustainability, Inc., in collaboration with fellow C.A.S.T. members, Ayika Solutions, Regen Community Advisory and national partner GRID Alternatives, the program reached a major milestone this week as 100% of participants successfully passed their OSHA 10 certification. This achievement marks an important s

Each year, Afrikan Liberation Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing global struggle for liberation, self-determination, and collective empowerment across the African diaspora. At Black Sustainability, Inc., this moment is not only about honoring history, it is about actively engaging the knowledge systems, cultural practices, and cooperative traditions that continue to guide us forward. This Afrikan Liberation Day, we are honored to highlight the work of Kim Poole

Afro NRCS Trainings: Unlocking Real Access to Land, Resources, and Opportunity At Black Sustainability, Inc., we believe knowledge is one of the most powerful tools you can have when it comes to land, farming, and building long-term sustainability. But not just any knowledge, we’re talking about the kind that helps you actually move different, access resources, and make the system work for you!!! That’s exactly what our upcoming Afro NRCS Virtual Trainings are about. We’re br

Atlanta, GA -- Black Sustainability, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of our first GRID Alternatives IBT120 Cohort in partnership with GRID Alternatives and Community Access to Sustainable Technology & Training (C.A.S.T.) on May 18th and we couldn’t be more excited about what this means for our community and the future we’re building together! This inaugural cohort marks a powerful step forward in our commitment to developing pathways into clean energy careers while equip

On any given day in Atlanta’s westside, you might find Chris Lemons tending crops, leading a workshop, or in conversation with community members about what it truly takes to build a sustainable future. While he is a Master Gardener, Director of Operations at Eco- PARADIGM and co-founder of Gratitude Botanical Farm, those titles only begin to capture the depth of his work. At his core, Chris is a systems thinker, a community builder, and a steward of both land and legacy. Chr

Climate disasters related to and resulting from the commercial expansion of megacorporations in the petroleum, fashion, technology, construction, transportation, and agriculture industries continue to extract, degrade, and destroy the earth. The consequences continue to have a disproportionate impact on Afrikans living in the United States and all over the Global South. The effects are everywhere: in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, and in the food we eat. At Black

Industry House: Eco-Building/Housing Key Takeaway: Current and future Black landowners can adopt conservation and land management practices recommended by NRCS, which are deeply connected to ancestral knowledge and practices. On April 2, 2026, Black Sustainability, Inc. kicked off our Eco Week with a Level Up Equipment Training. This multi-day training was a hands-on experience where attendees learned about the recommended practices of the Natural Resources Conservation Ser

There is a profound difference between talking about sustainability and putting your hands on the bark of a tree that will soon become a structural beam. On March 26 & 27, we moved beyond theory and into the forest for our Sustainable Forestry & Hyperlocal Materials Workshop. This event wasn't just a technical demonstration; it was a powerful collaboration. We were honored to co-host this session alongside members of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives , an organization t

Committed to the service of Black community development, Dr. Christina Hylton’s purpose is to further scholarship and activism in Black ownership and institutional building for inter-generational health and wellness. Dr. Hylton sees access to land and land ownership as an environmental justice concern. She is passionate about the sacredness of our earth, connection to place, and ideas of belonging, and how that should be included in a land reformation agenda. “Heal the land,

Arbor Day for Black/African History Month was a vibe with a purpose! On February 21, 2026, over 70 people came together at Virginia Walker Park for a day of live music, a ceremonial tree planting, a kids' corner, and more. Organized by R.I.C.E. in collaboration with Black Sustainability, Inc. this community gathering held in Athens, Clarke County, GA, USA celebrated Arbor Day through the lens of Afro-Ecology where ancestral land stewardship meets modern climate solutions.

Industry House: Alternative Energy Key Takeaway: Black farmers and landowners are looking for creative ways to retain family land, sustain farm production, and develop durable streams of revenue. Agrivoltaics is a viable solution. On February 28, 2026, Black Sustainability, Inc. and Black Man Green Plan partnered to bring the first Agrivoltaics Conference for Black Land Owners and Farmers, hosted at The Multi-Use Radical People's Hall ( The MURPH ) in Atlanta, GA, USA. At th

Dan Scott At Black Sustainability, Inc., we are proud to uplift leaders who are transforming food systems and building new pathways for economic empowerment within our communities. This month, we highlight Dan Scott, founder of Studio Farmer, Inc., a veteran-led nonprofit organization focused on workforce development through agriculture. Scott’s journey reflects the power of resilience and vision transforming his experience as an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD)

February 4, 2026 11:30am-1:30pmET This year's Saving Rural America event was a phenomenal and information packed session! With 112 registrants representing over 21 states and the US Virgin Islands, we kicked the event off with a major thank you to our sponsor, the Winston County Self Help Cooperative ( WCSHC ), Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS ). In honor of Black History Month, Black Sustainability, Inc. shared our relationship with the Winston County Self Help

Yeamah E. Brewer Yeamah Brewer is a leader whose vision, discipline, and commitment to collective liberation have helped shape the organization into what it is today. With more than 15 years of experience across environmental policy, public health, community engagement, and grants management, Yeamah brings both strategic rigor and ancestral consciousness to the work of sustainability. As a proud daughter of Liberia and Sierra Leone, Yeamah’s leadership is deeply informed by

The beginning of 2026 is shaping up to be powerful! From virtual learning spaces to hands-on environmental celebrations, Black Sustainability, Inc. is curating experiences that educate, connect, and equip our communities for a greener future. Whether you work in sustainability, construction, land stewardship, education, or simply care about the planet, these are the dates you’ll want on your calendar . February 4, 2026 We’re starting the year online with an important conversa

Black Sustainability, Inc. at the 27th Annual Bordeaux Farmers’ Rastafari Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair The energy was immediate. Music, food, laughter, and conversations pulsated through the lush hills of Estate Bordeaux on St. Thomas. From the moment we arrived at We Grow Food Inc's the 27th Annual Bordeaux Farmers’ Rastafari Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair, it was clear: this gathering was about community, culture, and cultivating the future together. Fa

An Introduction of Harvesting Hands Farms At its core, Harvesting Hands is a space for reclaiming our relationship with nature. A family-led homestead in South Georgia dedicated to building legacy. By focusing on regenerative practices that heal both the earth and community, Harvesting Hands is truly a living classroom. Even more admirable is the core of their homestead having all their children be a part of the daily operations. Whether through seasonal harvests or hands-

December 8, 2025 Excerpts from WCSHC Publication with their permission The Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) has been a Godsend for BSI and our work to support rural farmers and growers. On December 2, 2025, the Winston County Self Help Cooperative hosted its annual End-of-Year Celebration at the Cooperative Campus in Louisville, Mississippi. The event brought together cooperative members and guests to honor the organization’s 2025 accomplishments and celebrate the