WNL – Farming While Black: Screening & Talkback

We invite guests to a screening of the documentary, followed by a talkback featuring local Black farmers and activists. Special guest, the film’s co-producer Lynn Waymer, will provide a deeper context for the film and its production process. Guests will participate in the larger conversation about the challenges and importance of land cultivation in historical and contemporary Black culture. Panelists include the Deep Roots CPS Farm family. A special plant-based art installation by Root Papi will accompany the program.

About FARMING WHILE BLACK

Leah Penniman, co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, reflects on the plight of Black farmers in the United States. From the height of Black-owned farms at 14% in 1910 to less than 2% today. Leah and her Soul Fire Farm cohorts help propel a rising generation finding strength in the deep historical knowledge of African agrarianism - and its potential to save the planet.

Farming While Black is a feature-length documentary film which examines the historical plight of Black farmers in the United States and the rising generation reclaiming their rightful ownership to land and reconnecting with their ancestral roots.

As the co-founder of Soul Fire Farm in upstate New York, Leah Penniman finds strength in the deep historical knowledge of African agrarianism – agricultural practices that can heal people and the planet. Influenced and inspired by Karen Washington, a pioneer in urban community gardens in New York City, and fellow farmer and organizer Blain Snipstal, Leah galvanizes around farming as the basis of revolutionary justice.

In 1910, Black farmers owned 14 percent of all American farmland. Over the intervening decades, that number fell below two percent, the result of racism, discrimination, and dispossession. The film chronicles Penniman and two other Black farmers’ efforts to reclaim their agricultural heritage. Collectively, their work has a major impact, as each is a leader in sustainable agriculture and food justice movements. 

About Lynn Waymer

Lynn Waymer directs development and execution of communications, community engagement and social impact strategies. Currently as Co-Producer of FARMING WHILE BLACK, she leads community engagement, social impact, and film distribution. Lynn began her career in film as Director of Distribution for HBO where she developed sales and marketing strategies for iconic programming including: The Sopranos; The Wire; Inside The NFL; HBO Boxing; True Blood; Game of Thrones and HBO’s award-winning documentaries.

In addition to co-producing independent films, Waymer works as Vice President of KPJR Films where she develops localized and national partnerships, community screening events and digital social impact and outreach campaigns for films.

Lynn has worked with award-winning documentary film directors including Krystal Emery; James Redford and The Redford Center, and more. Through her social impact consultancy, Kincaid & Company, she consulted with The Yale School of Medicine’s Center for Dyslexia & Creativity on national literacy initiatives impacting underserved communities. She also consults with arts programming and properties to create a sustainable impact and often provides pro bono services to emerging minority and female filmmakers.

Lynn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio, TV & Film and obtained a certificate in Strategic Marketing from Emory University. In addition, she completed Leadership development programs at the Center for Creative Leadership and UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. She was a Walter Kaitz Fellow through which she obtained Certification in Cable System Marketing and Management from The University of Denver.

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