POST EVENT REFLECTION: From Greens To Blackeyed Peas — A Black Food Justice Story
“What you put in your mouth and what you say out of your mouth are so key to self-care, to relieving stress, and to living a healthy long life.” - Phyllis Bowie
At her powerful and personal event, My Black Food Justice Story, our friend, Ms. Phyllis Bowie, guided us through the story of her food journey, from greens to black-eyed peas! We loved hearing how Ms. Phyllis shaped her life into the vision of her dreams by figuring out how she could leverage her passion in her profession—a very BlackFemaleProject story!
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR THOSE WHO MISSED IT:
Speaking out in the face of anti-Blackness got her fired, but it also got her closer to her purpose. After unexpectedly going from red carpet life to food stamps, she gave herself a crash course on navigating the system in order to access healthy food. She now passes on her learning as a way of being in service to her community.
Ms. Phyllis also urged us to consider how much stress can compromise our physical health and overall well-being. Diet and exercise will only go so far if we don’t also implement sound stress management practices.
When attendees were interested in how to take on healthier eating habits, Ms. Phyllis had three easy go-tos: Avoid processed foods. Stop cooking with salt (add it at the table instead). And ditch fast food.
About the CollaboratorMs. Phyllis Bowie is a native San Franciscan raised by her Black Panther single Mom in the 60s. As an officer in the Air Force, Ms. Phyllis rose to the rank of captain and earned a computer science degree. For the last 9 years she's produced an award-winning food show, Living with Phyllis. This show is just one of Ms. Phyllis' many grassroots advocacy contributions of service for Black food sovereignty and food justice in the Fillmore.
