The Power of Partnership: Allies and Black Farmers In Action

The past few years and particularly 2024 was a groundbreaking year for the Justice For Black Farmers group as they leveraged the power of social media advocacy to reach a broader audience and raise awareness about the challenges faced by Black farmers in America. The group continued key partnerships with prominent advocates like Marcel Reid, Gary Grant, Christopher “C.J.” Johnson, Michael Stovall, Gary Johnson Media, Dr. Waymon Hinson, Corey Lea, Andrew White and others. This year, the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees/Justice For Black Farmers group was again featured at the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival in Washington, D.C., and conducted impactful interviews with real Black farmers, allies, and advocates, including Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Jill Stein, Eddie Slaughter, Pamela Messal, Dr. David Moskowitz, Dr. Fredrick Clark and many more. These conversations shed light on systemic issues at US Department of Agriculture (USDA), racial inequality, health disparities and the fight for land ownership rights, and more. Lawrence Lucas, President Emeritus of the USDA Coalition for Minority Employees, hosted and led these critical initiatives, while Marcel Reid drove advocacy through the “Seeking Truth and Justice” radio show. Their collective efforts have amplified the voices of Black farming communities and inspired action nationwide.

Publisher’s Note:
In 2021, this website made a deliberate effort to connect with the Black farmer movement and to educate both our staff and visitors about the challenges Black farmers face. On a personal level, this journey has been an emotional roller coaster. I’ve experienced sadness, disgust, anger, confusion, and hurt. Are any of those feelings positive? The answer is NO. I can only imagine the depth of emotions felt by Black farmers, their families, and their supporters.

If you’re new to this issue or assume the USDA has already “done the right thing,” I encourage you to watch the documentary “I’m Just a Layman in Pursuit of Justice.” This film chronicles the systemic injustices within the U.S. Department of Agriculture—often referred to as “the last plantation”—and shares the lived experiences of Black farmers who courageously fought against discrimination.

Our website is committed to raising awareness and advocating for justice for Black farmers. We have a dedicated section to share information about their plight, and we proudly sponsor the website at JusticeForBlackFarmers.com.

Gary A. Johnson, Founder & Publisher

Click Here To Visit Our Black Farmers Page

Black farmers protest at Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C. on September 22, 1997. Protesters alleged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) denied black farmers equal access to farm loans and assistance based on their race. North Carolina farmer Timothy Pigford and 400 other black farmers filed the Pigford v. Glickman (Pigford I) class-action lawsuit against USDA in 1997. The USDA settled Pigford I in 1999. USDA photo by Anson Eaglin.